Rigatoni and Sausage Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible Rigatoni and Sausage Bake, a crowd-pleasing casserole that's as easy to make as it is delicious. Tender rigatoni pasta is tossed with a savory marinara sauce infused with the rich flavors of Italian sausage, garlic, and onions, then layered with gooey mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan for an irresistibly cheesy finish. Seasoned with Italian herbs and a touch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, this hearty baked pasta dish is the perfect choice for a family dinner or a cozy gathering. Ready in just one hour and garnished with fresh parsley, this recipe delivers bold Italian flavors with a warm, oven-baked twist. Whether you're meal prepping or serving it fresh from the oven, this cheesy rigatoni bake is guaranteed to disappear fast!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz rigatoni pasta
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently.

Step 5

Stir in the marinara sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet and stir to combine. Remove the sauce from heat.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni pasta with the sausage sauce, making sure the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Spread half of the pasta mixture in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the grated parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 10

Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1985.4 grams (1985.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3394

Total Fat 208.10g	267%
Saturated Fat 81.90g	410%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.80g
Cholesterol 579mg	193%
Sodium 8796mg	382%
Total Carbohydrate 193.50g	70%
Dietary Fiber 16.40g	59%
Total Sugars 33.50g
Protein 180.30g	361%

Vitamin D 181IU	907%
Calcium 2246mg	173%
Iron 16mg	86%
Potassium 1978mg	42%

*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: 55.6%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 23.0%