Savory Baked Rigatoni with Kalamata Olives and Italian Sausage
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of this baked rigatoni, featuring a savory combination of spicy Italian sausage, rich crushed tomatoes, and briny Kalamata olives. Layered with melty mozzarella and topped with nutty Parmesan, this hearty dish is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner. Aromatic garlic, fresh basil, and a satisfying crunch on top round out this comforting classic. With a delectable balance of flavors and textures, this crowd-pleaser is sure to impress at the dinner table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
small onion
1 (diced)
olive oil
1 tablespoon
hot Italian sausage
1 lb (casings removed)
garlic
1 tablespoon (chopped)
crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (preferably Sclafani quick crushed)
tomato sauce
16 ounces
water
8 ounces
Kalamata olives
1/3 lb (drained, pitted, and coarsely chopped)
basil
3/4 ounce (coarsely chopped)
rigatoni pasta
16 ounces (or gigantoni if available)
mozzarella cheese
16 ounces (grated)
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Cook the rigatoni according to package directions, ensuring it's al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot, setting it aside.
3
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the hot Italian sausage and diced onion until the sausage is browned and crumbled, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat and set aside.
4
In the same skillet, add the olive oil and chopped garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt.
5
Return the sausage and onions to the skillet. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water. Bring the mixture to a high simmer and cook until slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Stir in the Kalamata olives and fresh basil, then turn off the heat.
6
Combine the tomato sauce with the cooked rigatoni, tossing well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
7
Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray. Layer one-third of the rigatoni mixture at the bottom of the dish. Top with half of the grated mozzarella. Add another third of the rigatoni on top of the mozzarella, followed by the remaining cheese. Finally, add the last layer of rigatoni, topping it off with foil.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
9
Remove the foil, sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the top, and bake for an additional 15-25 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy. (For a crunchier top, opt for the full 25 minutes.) Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein in Savory Baked Rigatoni?
The primary protein is one pound of hot Italian sausage with the casings removed.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How should the rigatoni pasta be cooked initially?
The rigatoni should be cooked according to package directions until it is al dente.
What kind of olives are used in this baked pasta dish?
The recipe calls for 1/3 lb of Kalamata olives that are drained, pitted, and coarsely chopped.
How long does it take to cook the sausage and onion?
The hot Italian sausage and diced onion should be cooked in a large skillet for about 6-8 minutes until the sausage is browned and crumbled.
Is there a specific brand of crushed tomatoes recommended?
The recipe suggests using Sclafani quick crushed tomatoes for the 28-ounce requirement.
What types of cheese are included in this recipe?
The recipe uses 16 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
How much garlic should be added to the sauce?
One tablespoon of chopped garlic should be sautéed in olive oil for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
How long should the tomato sauce mixture simmer?
The sauce mixture should be brought to a high simmer and cooked for about 15 minutes until slightly reduced.
When should the fresh basil be added?
Stir in the coarsely chopped fresh basil after the sauce has simmered for 15 minutes, just before turning off the heat.
What is the layering process for the casserole dish?
Layer one-third of the rigatoni mixture, then half the mozzarella, another third of rigatoni, the remaining mozzarella, and finally the last third of rigatoni.
How long is the initial baking time with the foil on?
The dish should be covered with foil and baked for 30 minutes.
What happens after the initial 30 minutes of baking?
Remove the foil, sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the top, and bake for an additional 15-25 minutes.
How can I ensure the top of the baked rigatoni is crunchy?
For a crunchier top, opt for the full 25 minutes of baking time after removing the foil.
What should I do after taking the dish out of the oven?
Allow the baked rigatoni to cool slightly before serving.
Can I use a different type of pasta if rigatoni is unavailable?
Yes, the recipe suggests gigantoni as an alternative if available.
How much water is added to the skillet for the sauce?
Eight ounces of water are added along with the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce.
What is the preparation for the onion?
The small onion should be diced before cooking with the sausage.
Should the sausage fat be drained?
Yes, after browning the sausage and onion, you should drain the excess fat.
What is the total amount of tomato sauce used?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of tomato sauce in addition to the crushed tomatoes.
Is the garlic sautéed alone or with other ingredients?
The garlic is sautéed in olive oil in the skillet after the sausage and onions have been set aside.
How much olive oil is needed?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the garlic.
What preparation is needed for the casserole dish?
Spray the large casserole dish with cooking spray before layering the pasta.
What makes this dish savory?
The combination of spicy Italian sausage, rich tomatoes, and briny Kalamata olives provides its savory profile.
How many ounces of rigatoni pasta are required?
The recipe requires 16 ounces of rigatoni pasta.
What is the texture of the Kalamata olives after preparation?
The olives should be coarsely chopped.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include pasta, baked, italian cuisine, comfort food, family-friendly, sausage, and cheesy.
Does the recipe contain fresh herbs?
Yes, it includes 3/4 ounce of coarsely chopped fresh basil.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in this recipe.
What is the intended audience for this meal?
It is described as a crowd-pleaser perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner.