Baked Rigatoni and Sausage

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Baked Rigatoni and Sausage, a hearty and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. This recipe combines al dente rigatoni with a rich, savory marinara sauce enhanced by the bold flavors of Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and garlic. Creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheese create irresistible layers of cheesy goodness, baked to golden perfection. Seasoned with aromatic oregano and finished with optional fresh parsley, this baked pasta casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With simple ingredients and just 20 minutes of prep time, this one-dish wonder is an effortless way to bring comfort food to your table. Perfect for leftovers, too!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz Rigatoni pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
• 24 oz Marinara sauce
• 1 cup Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 large Onion (diced)
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (optional, chopped)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light coating of oil.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Step 5

Add the Italian sausage to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until the sausage is browned and cooked through.

Step 6

Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Remove from heat.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni pasta and the sausage marinara sauce. Stir until the pasta is fully coated with the sauce.

Step 8

Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Dollop the ricotta cheese over the pasta and sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta mixture as the next layer and top it with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden brown.

Step 12

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1723.9 grams (1723.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2208

Total Fat 94.90g	122%
Saturated Fat 50.10g	251%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.70g
Cholesterol 242mg	81%
Sodium 6628mg	288%
Total Carbohydrate 201.70g	73%
Dietary Fiber 18.30g	65%
Total Sugars 32.40g
Protein 133.80g	268%

Vitamin D 36IU	181%
Calcium 3043mg	234%
Iron 8mg	47%
Potassium 967mg	21%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.9%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 36.7%