Easy Italian Bake

So excited to share this delicious recipe with you! It comes together easily to create a scrumptious dinner perfect for company or a busy weeknight. I took a quick picture of the ingredients before cooking but accidentally forgot to include the cream cheese…oops! 

Easy Italian Bake

4 cups bowtie pasta (or any type of noodle)

1 pound mild Italian Sausage

2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

4 oz. cream cheese, softened and cubed

2 (5 oz.) cans Evaporated Milk

1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt

 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Cook noodles in boiling water in a saucepan according to directions on the box.  In the meantime, cook Italian Sausage in a medium skillet until no longer pink; then stir in tomato sauce and Italian Seasoning….simmer on low heat.  Drain noodles and then return back into saucepan. Add cream cheese, evaporated milk and garlic salt to the noodles. Turn heat on low and stir until cheese melts and sauce begins to thicken.  Pour noodle mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch casserole pan. Spread tomato meat mixture over the top. Sprinkle 2 cups (or more) of Mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 18 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly. 

The delicious smell of the Italian Sausage, tomato sauce and cheesy noodles fills up the entire kitchen! I served this casserole along with a slice of Texas toast, a side of steamed broccoli and fresh fruit.  Everyone enjoyed this Italian dinner and several family members asked for seconds.  This recipe could easily be made with whatever noodles you have in your pantry…such as penne or even spaghetti.  You could also use regular ground beef (or ground turkey) instead of the Italian Sausage. Your family will happily devour this "Easy Italian Bake"!!!!