Cheesy Sausage Rigatoni Bake with Spinach
This Cheesy Sausage Rigatoni Bake is a crowd-pleaser that combines savory sausage with tender pasta, hidden spinach, and a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or dinner parties, you can prepare it hours in advance, allowing you to enjoy your time with guests. The dish's layers of flavor and comfort create a warmth that delights both adults and children alike, ensuring that even the pickiest eaters won’t be able to resist. Serve it alongside a crisp salad for a complete meal!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pork sausage links
14 ounces (Remove skins and chop into pieces)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Onion
1, chopped (Chopped)
Carrot
1 large, grated (Grated)
Red wine
1/4 pint (N/A)
Vegetable stock
1/2 pint (N/A)
Tomato puree
3 tablespoons (N/A)
Butter
2 ounces (N/A)
Flour
2 ounces (N/A)
Milk
2 cups (N/A)
Freshly grated nutmeg
to taste (N/A)
Rigatoni pasta
500 g (Cooked al dente)
Fresh spinach
8 ounces (Washed and trimmed)
Mature cheddar cheese
5 ounces, grated (Grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
2
Begin by removing the sausage from its casing and chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
3
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, cooking for about 5 minutes, until softened and lightly browned.
4
Add the sausage pieces to the skillet, frying until they are browned and cooked through.
5
Stir in the grated carrot, then add the red wine, vegetable stock, and tomato puree to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before removing from heat.
7
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a smooth paste (roux).
8
Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly, cooking until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Add freshly grated nutmeg and season with salt and pepper, simmering for an additional 2 minutes.
9
In a large pot filled with salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni pasta until al dente. Once done, stir in the fresh spinach and allow it to wilt for about a minute before draining.
10
In a large ovenproof casserole, layer half of the rigatoni. Pour the sausage sauce evenly over the pasta, then top with the remaining rigatoni.
11
Carefully pour the creamy white sauce over the layered pasta and sausage. Finally, sprinkle the grated mature cheddar cheese generously over the top.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
13
Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving to let the layers settle.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in the Cheesy Sausage Rigatoni Bake?
The main protein is pork sausage links, with the skins removed and chopped into pieces.
Can I substitute rigatoni with another type of pasta?
Yes, you can use other short pasta shapes like penne or ziti if rigatoni is unavailable.
How long does it take to bake the rigatoni?
The dish should be baked for 20 to 25 minutes in a preheated oven.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Set your oven to 190 degrees Celsius or 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes, this dish can be prepared several hours in advance and kept ready for the oven.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the topping?
The recipe calls for 5 ounces of grated mature cheddar cheese.
Is there wine in the sauce?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/4 pint of red wine to add depth to the sausage sauce.
How do I prepare the spinach?
Stir the fresh spinach into the boiling pasta water for about a minute before draining the rigatoni.
What is the base of the white sauce?
The white sauce is a bechamel made from butter, flour, and milk, seasoned with nutmeg.
How do I ensure the white sauce is smooth?
Whisk the flour into the melted butter to form a roux, then gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, but ensure it is thawed and thoroughly squeezed of excess moisture before adding.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, it is described as a family-friendly meal that delights both adults and children.
What should I serve as a side dish?
A crisp salad is recommended to complete the meal.
How many grams of pasta are needed?
The recipe requires 500 grams of rigatoni pasta.
Do I need to peel the sausage?
Yes, remove the skins from the pork sausage links before chopping and frying them.
Why is nutmeg used in the recipe?
Freshly grated nutmeg is added to the white sauce to provide a warm, aromatic flavor.
What type of stock is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 pint of vegetable stock.
Can I substitute the red wine?
If you prefer not to use wine, you can replace it with extra vegetable stock.
What is the first step in making the sausage sauce?
The first step is sautéing chopped onion in olive oil for about 5 minutes until softened.
How long should the sausage sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes until it has thickened.
Should I cook the pasta all the way through?
No, cook the pasta until it is al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven.
How do I layer the casserole?
Layer half the pasta, followed by the sausage sauce, then the remaining pasta, and finally the white sauce and cheese.
Why should I let the dish cool for 5 minutes after baking?
Allowing it to cool briefly helps the layers settle, making it easier to serve.
Can I add more vegetables to the sauce?
Yes, you can add other grated or finely chopped vegetables like zucchini or peppers along with the carrot.
How much tomato puree is required?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of tomato puree.
Is the sausage sauce seasoned?
Yes, you should season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste before simmering.
What size carrot should I use?
Use one large grated carrot for the sauce.
Can I use a different cheese if I don't have cheddar?
Yes, Gruyere or mozzarella would also work well for a cheesy topping.
Is the milk added all at once to the white sauce?
No, milk should be poured in gradually while whisking to maintain a smooth consistency.
What kind of oil is used for frying?
The recipe recommends using 1 tablespoon of olive oil.