Cheesy Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage
Indulge in a hearty and comforting dish with our Cheesy Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage. This delicious recipe combines al dente rigatoni pasta with savory sweet Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese, and a rich layer of spaghetti sauce. Melted mozzarella tops off this satisfying bake, making it a perfect choice for family dinners or gatherings. Serve it hot and bubbly straight from the oven for an unforgettable meal that is sure to impress everyone at your table.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rigatoni pasta
3 cups (uncooked)
Sweet Italian sausage
1 lb (in link form)
Onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (minced)
Ricotta cheese
26 1/4 ounces (softened)
Spaghetti sauce
30 ounces (divided)
Mozzarella cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sweet Italian sausage until browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and slice into thin pieces.
4
In the same pan, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is tender and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
5
Return the sliced sausage to the skillet with the onion and garlic. Stir in the drained rigatoni pasta and ricotta cheese, mixing well until fully combined.
6
Spread 1 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a 3-quart casserole dish. Layer one-third of the pasta mixture over the sauce, followed by another cup of spaghetti sauce.
7
Sprinkle 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
8
Repeat the layering process two more times, ensuring to end with a layer of sauce topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
9
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10
Remove from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this recipe?
The main protein is 1 lb of sweet Italian sausage, provided in link form, browned and sliced into thin pieces.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How many servings does this cheesy baked rigatoni yield?
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
What type of pasta is required?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of uncooked rigatoni pasta.
How should the rigatoni pasta be cooked?
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions until it reaches an al dente texture.
How much ricotta cheese is used in this dish?
The recipe requires 26 1/4 ounces of softened ricotta cheese.
How much spaghetti sauce is needed?
A total of 30 ounces of spaghetti sauce is used, which is divided throughout the layers.
What size casserole dish is recommended?
A 3-quart casserole dish is recommended for this bake.
How long should the dish be baked in the oven?
The dish should be baked for 20 to 30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
Yes, the dish should be covered with foil while baking in the oven.
How much mozzarella cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
How do you prepare the Italian sausage?
The sausage is browned on all sides in a skillet and then sliced into thin pieces before being mixed with other ingredients.
How much onion and garlic are required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped onion and 1 clove of minced garlic.
How long should you sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté the onion and garlic in the skillet for about 3-5 minutes until the onion is tender and translucent.
How is the ricotta cheese incorporated into the dish?
The softened ricotta cheese is stirred into the skillet with the cooked sausage, pasta, onion, and garlic until fully combined.
What is the layering process for this casserole?
Spread 1 cup of sauce on the bottom, add 1/3 of the pasta mixture, 1 cup of sauce, then sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat this process two more times.
How much Parmesan cheese is used in total?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, divided among the layers.
Is it necessary to drain the fat from the sausage?
Yes, after sautéing the onion and garlic, any excess fat should be drained from the pan.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
While rigatoni is specified, similar tube-shaped pastas like penne or ziti could be used as substitutes.
Should the pasta be fully cooked before baking?
The pasta should be cooked until al dente, meaning it is firm to the bite, as it will continue to cook slightly while baking.
What is the preparation style for the ricotta cheese?
The ricotta cheese should be softened to make mixing easier.
What makes the top layer of the dish?
The final layer should end with spaghetti sauce topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Should the dish rest after being removed from the oven?
Yes, let the dish cool for a few minutes after baking before serving hot.
What category of cuisine does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized as European cuisine.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients listed in this recipe.
Can I use spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet?
Yes, sweet Italian sausage is specified, but hot or spicy Italian sausage can be used if you prefer more heat.
Is the garlic minced or sliced?
The garlic should be minced.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How much mozzarella cheese goes on the middle layers?
Each of the first two cheese layers receives 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The finished dish is hearty and comforting, with melted, bubbly cheese and tender pasta.