Description
A comforting and delicious pasta dish featuring savory Italian sausage, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté the sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
- Add aromatics: Once the sausage is browned, add the diced onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine tomatoes: Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, followed by Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Mix pasta with sauce: Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet. Toss to combine, ensuring that the pasta is well-coated in the sauce.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese into the mixture, stirring until everything is melted and combined.
- Transfer to baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Enjoy!
Notes
This dish can be customized with different types of cheese or vegetables for a healthier twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg