Baked Rigatoni and Italian Sausage Casserole
This Cheesy Rigatoni Sausage Bake is the ultimate comfort food casserole. Tender rigatoni pasta is tossed with savory Italian sausage, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese before being baked until hot and bubbly. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, freezer meals, and potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 MINUTES
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: BAKED
- Cuisine: ITALIAN | AMERICAN
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned and cooked through. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni, sausage sauce mixture, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until evenly combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Slightly undercook the pasta since it will continue cooking while baking.
- Sweet or hot Italian sausage both work well.
- Freshly shredded mozzarella provides the best melt and texture.
- Assemble up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Find it online: https://www.firsthomelovelife.com/rigatoni-sausage-bake/