Penne and Smoked Sausage

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 30 min.

Makes

6 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
This pasta is a must-try smoked sausage recipe. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
Penne and Smoked Sausage Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
  • 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
  • 1-1/2 cups cheddar french-fried onions, divided
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown sausage over medium heat 5 minutes; drain. In a large bowl, combine milk and soup. Stir in 1/2 cup onions, 1/2 cup cheese, peas and sausage. Drain pasta; stir into sausage mixture.
  3. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake until bubbly, 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining onions and cheese. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes longer.

Can you freeze Penne and Smoked Sausage?

Sprinkle remaining onions and cheese over unbaked casserole. Cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

Penne and Smoked Sausage Tips

Are smoked sausages already cooked?

Yes—smoked sausages are almost always already fully cooked. (The meat is often smoked at a high enough temperature that it cooks while it's smoking.) Smoked sausages from major brands including Hillshire Farm, Eckrich and Jennie-O are all fully cooked. However, always check the label for the words "fully cooked" to be sure.

What else can I add to this penne and smoked sausage recipe?

Bell peppers are an awesome start! Choose fresh red or green peppers for a color boost, or use frozen mixed peppers for a convenient addition. Like a little heat? Then use poblano peppers, a spicier smoked sausage and pepper jack cheese. (Cheese soup instead of celery soup might be great here, too.) Finally, for a Creole touch, choose smoked andouille, a shrimp or lobster soup, cooked shrimp, and/or chopped okra.

What other meals can I make with smoked sausage?

There are more smoked sausage dishes than you can imagine—including these sausage skillet recipes. In the morning, try this Hearty Sausage 'n' Hash Browns dish topped with melted cheese and green peppers. For dinner, make a Sausage Potato Supper with zucchini in less than 30 minutes. Research contributed by Christine Rukavena, Taste of Home Book Editor.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 553 calories, 35g fat (14g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1425mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.