Description
Baked Rigatoni with Sausage is a comforting, cheesy dish that brings the warmth of Italian cuisine to your kitchen. With layers of al dente rigatoni, savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella, this baked pasta is perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Each bite delivers a delightful explosion of flavors that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Easy to prepare and customizable, it’s a crowd-pleaser that transforms any meal into a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; drain and reserve some pasta water.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and brown the Italian sausage for about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).
- Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked rigatoni with the sausage mixture, half of the mozzarella, and half of the basil. If dry, add reserved pasta water.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
- Garnish with remaining basil before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg