Spicy Sausage and Rigatoni Bake
Spicy Sausage and Rigatoni Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta and Sausage
- 12 ounces rigatoni
- 1 pound Italian sausage, hot or mild, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more, to taste
For the Sauce and Cheese
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 12 min
- 5
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, 1/4 cup of fresh basil, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Sausage and Rigatoni Bake
For the Pasta and Sausage
- 12 ounces rigatoni
- 1 pound Italian sausage, hot or mild, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more, to taste
For the Sauce and Cheese
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 12 min - 5
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, 1/4 cup of fresh basil, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 5 min