Note: These ingredients are optimized with relevant keywords such as "baked pasta," "sausage," "baby portobello mushrooms," and "creamy white sauce" to enhance SEO.
Steps
### Baked Pasta with Sausage & Baby Portobello Mushroom White Sauce Recipe
#### Ingredients:
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 12 ounces Italian sausage (removed from casings)
- 8 baby portobello mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese (about 8 oz)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan for topping
#### Equipment:
- Large pot with a lid
- Mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- Spatula
- Aluminum foil
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### Step-by-Step Guide:
1. **Cook the Pasta:**
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add 1 pound penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
2. **Sauté Sausage and Mushrooms:**
- In a large skillet, heat 4 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the Italian sausage (remove from casings) and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels.
3. **Prepare the Sauce:**
- In the same skillet, add the sliced baby portobello mushrooms and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they release their moisture and start browning.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in heavy cream and milk. Bring to a simmer.
4. **Blend the Sauce:**
- Reduce heat to low, add dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the cooked sausage and remove from heat.
5. **Combine Pasta and Sauce:**
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the mushroom white sauce.
- Toss well to coat the pasta evenly.
6. **Bake:**
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Transfer the pasta mixture into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
7. **Final Touches:**
- Remove the foil, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the pasta is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
8. **Serve:**
- Let it sit for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Garnish with extra grated Parmesan if desired.
#### SEO Tips:
- Include keywords like "baked pasta," "sausage," "mushroom white sauce" in your meta titles and descriptions.
- Use bullet points for quick scanning of ingredients and steps.