February 9, 2014

Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina #SundaySupper

Next time you have a craving for baked ziti but are only cooking for two, make up perfectly portioned Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina.  Takes half the time and leaves with you without leftovers for a week! 
Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina perfectly portioned for two people from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen

It’s a dinner for two Valentine’s Day special #SundaySupper this week! I am so thrilled to be hosting because I have been cooking for two people for almost 10 years now and sometimes I still have difficulty making just the right amount. 

Sure there are the meals that you want to have leftovers because you know it will make an awesome lunch the next day or perhaps it’s just you for dinner one night later in the week and you won’t need to cook.  However other nights, maybe that meal was just not meant to be reheated.  

Gee talking about reheating leftovers. So romantic right?  Let’s talk about more romantic things shall we? 

Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina perfectly portioned for two from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen

Are you a cook at home or go out to eat on Valentine’s Day person? For the first few years of dating Braden and I would go out.  I suppose we just figured that’s what you’re supposed to do.  These days, not that we are old and cranky and can’t stand crowded loud restaurants we prefer a quiet night in.  What’s on the menu gets to be decided by us instead of forced into a three course, over-priced meal.  

Pasta usually isn’t on the menu, it’s a nice steak dinner but I couldn’t resist recreating this dish we had on New Years Day at a local family run Italian restaurant in Brooklyn.  This was the baked ziti I’ve been waiting for my entire life.  Topped with creamy fontina cheese instead of loaded down with heavy meats, sauce and ricotta.  

Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina perfectly portioned for two from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen

So while it might not seem like your first inclination to make pasta for Valentine’s Day, I say go for it.  Enjoy this lighter take on baked ziti with a glass of red wine and pretend Italy is outside your.  Seriously what can get more romantic than that? Perhaps toss a little Dean Martin on in the background and don’t forget to save room for dessert.  Because seriously wait until you see the list of desserts on our recipes built for two from all the #SundaySupper contributors!

2

Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina #SundaySupper
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups dried penne pasta
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
  • 3 links sweet or spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes (reserve extra from the can for another use)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (only if using sweet sausage)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh oregano
  • 1 cup shredded fontina cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the penne 9 minutes or until it is al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle 1/2 tablespoon of oil and saute the onions until translucent and soft. About 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Remove the sausage from the casing and break into small pieces in the skillet with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink through, continuing to break into small pieces as it cooks.
  5. Once the sausage is completely cooked through, stir in the tomato sauce, salt and red pepper flakes (only if using sweet sausage).
  6. Bring the sauce to a simmer, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from the heat and stir in the oregano.
  7. Stir in the cooked penne and toss to combine evenly.
  8. In two oven safe serving bowls, divide the pasta and sausage mixture. Top with fontina and place in a 400 degree heated oven.
  9. Bake for 5 minutes or until the fontina is completely melted.
  10. Remove, let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Type: Main
https://girlinthelittleredkitchen.com/2014/02/baked-pasta-sausage-fontina-sundaysupper/

Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina from The Girl In The Little Red KItchen

Now let’s see more Valentine’s Day recipes for two ideas from our #SundaySupper contributors!

Alluring Appetizers:

Exquisite Entrees:

 

Decadent Desserts and Drinks:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter every Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat.

Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

55 Comments in General· Main Dishes· Recipes
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55 thoughts on “Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina #SundaySupper”

  1. The Ninja Baker

    I like how you think and cook, Susan! And am surprised and grateful you referred to the great Dean Martin…But then of course, you are an expert in all things classic – like this fantabulous penne pasta with fontina cheese!

    Reply ↓

  3. Pingback: Baked Pasta with Sausage and Fontina #SundaySup...

  5. Liz

    With my emptying nest, I still make pasta to feed an army. Your recipe is more what I should be making…plus it looks delish!!! Thanks for hosting, my friend!!!

    Reply ↓
  6. Alice // Hip Foodie Mom

    Susan! I love this pasta! and pasta is what we usually make for VDay anyway. . we usually stay in, like you said avoid the crowds and save some money but this year, ironically, we are going out with a group of people. . to try a new restaurant. anyway, love love love this pasta and can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks for hosting today!!

    Reply ↓
  7. Shaina

    Staying in sounds much more romantic than dealing with loud nosy restaurants and reservations. And a cheesy pasta dish is just the perfect meal!

    Reply ↓

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  18. Katy

    Pasta that beautiful is the perfect Valentine’s Dish! I am pinning this to make – just gorgeous. I love your individual little pans as well! Thank you for hosting 🙂

    Reply ↓

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  21. Courtney @ Neighborfood

    I would totally make pasta for Valentine’s Day! Thanks for hosting this week. It’s such a fun theme! Honestly, we usually don’t do anything for Valentine’s Day itself. We usually wait till the following weekend and then go out for brunch. Cheaper, less crowded, aaaaaand brunch is awesome. 🙂 This year I may have to make something a little fancier for Valentine’s Day at home. I think the Mr. and I would both love this!

    Reply ↓

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  32. Cheryl

    Seriously, this sounds so delicious, I might just be adding it to our weeknight menu soon. Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe, and especially for hosting this AWESOME event! Have a wonderful, YUMMY VDay with your sweetie! HUGS

    Reply ↓

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  35. Manu

    Oh Susan! You are speaking Italian to my very Italian heart! LOL I often make baked pasta and I LOVE Fontina and sausage together, I think they make a great combo! Brava!!!

    Reply ↓

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  39. Laura

    This recipe is very similar to one that I use as my go to stress-free meal. We love sausage and pasta together, my toddler’s favourite things. 🙂

    Reply ↓

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  41. Joanne

    We are staying in also, because who wants to pay a ridiculous price for a meal where you can’t even choose your own entree! And actually we are huge pasta fans, so I could see this going over really well on V-Day!

    Reply ↓
  45. Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking

    Who doesn’t love a little red vino, pasta, and Dino for Valentine’s Day! All things about that scream romance. I suck at cooking for two. I always end up with a ton of leftovers. And since I have food ADD I hate eating leftovers so this recipe will for sure help me on that front!

    Reply ↓

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