Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience with this mouthwatering Baked Rigatoni with Sausage! Imagine layers of perfectly cooked pasta, rich marinara sauce, and three types of melted cheese combining with savory Italian sausage to create a dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. This isn't just another pasta recipe – it's a hearty, flavor-packed meal that brings the warmth of an Italian kitchen right to your dining table.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This allows the oven to reach the right temperature while you prepare the dish.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sausage is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the sausage is cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet. Add the marinara sauce to the skillet with the sausage, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni, sausage and marinara mixture, ricotta cheese, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
- In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half of the rigatoni mixture evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Layer the remaining rigatoni mixture over the mozzarella cheese, then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This will help the cheese melt and the flavors to combine.
- After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Once done, remove the baked rigatoni from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This will help the dish set a little and make it easier to serve.
- Serve the baked rigatoni hot, garnished with fresh basil or additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your delicious Italian meal!
Tips
- Choose high-quality Italian sausage for the most authentic flavor – fresh from the butcher is always best.
- Don't overcook the pasta! Aim for al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Drain excess grease from the sausage to prevent a greasy final dish.
- For extra richness, use whole milk ricotta cheese.
- If you want a crispy top, broil the dish for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking.
- Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations or add some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- This dish freezes beautifully – make an extra batch for an easy future meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 685kcal
Carbohydrates: 62g
Protein: 38g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Cholesterol: 95mg
