Baked Rigatoni with Sausage
Baked Rigatoni with Sausage is a hearty and comforting dish that combines tender rigatoni pasta, savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners, delivering a delightful explosion of flavors that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. With customizable ingredients and straightforward preparation, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes), then drain.
- Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, draining excess fat if needed.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked rigatoni, browned sausage, marinara sauce, half the mozzarella, and chopped basil.
- Transfer mixture to the baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: - Substitute ground turkey or mushrooms for a healthier or vegetarian option.- Add veggies like spinach or zucchini for an extra nutrient boost.