Baked Italian Sausage and Bowtie Pasta

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cook the bowtie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.

Stir in the marinara sauce and heavy cream, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Combine the cooked pasta with the sausage and sauce mixture, ensuring the pasta is well coated.

Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. You can also substitute the bowtie pasta with penne or rigatoni for a different texture. To make it more vegetable-rich, consider adding sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the sauce. For a lighter version, use turkey sausage and substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.