Best 2 Italian Sausage Rigatoni Bake Recipes

Italian sausage rigatoni bake is a hearty and delicious dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend gathering. With its combination of flavorful Italian sausage, tender rigatoni pasta, creamy sauce, and melted cheese, this casserole is sure to satisfy everyone at the table. The best part is that it can be easily customized to suit your tastes and preferences, making it a versatile dish that you can enjoy time and time again.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ITALIAN SAUSAGE RIGATONI BAKE

Italian Sausage Rigatoni Bake image

This casserole combines all of our favorite Italian flavors, but the fresh mozzarella really sets it apart! -Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 2 casseroles (4 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
5 cups marinara sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons half-and-half cream
1 pound sliced part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. Cook rigatoni according to package directions; drain., In a large skillet, cook sausage, mushrooms and pepper over medium-high heat until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, breaking up sausage into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Stir in marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese and cream. Add rigatoni and toss to coat., In each of 2 greased 8-in. square baking dishes, layer one-fourth of the rigatoni mixture and one-fourth of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Bake, uncovered, until heated through and cheese is melted, 25-35 minutes. (Cover loosely with foil if tops brown too quickly.) Freeze option: Cool unbaked casseroles; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake casseroles as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 535 calories, Fat 26g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 71mg cholesterol, Sodium 774mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

RIGATONI AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE BAKE (POTLUCK)

Rigatoni and Italian Sausage Bake (Potluck) image

This recipe was given to me many years ago by a neighbor. Everyone loves it and it is great to bring to cook-outs as it feeds alot of people. Easy and good and everyone always asks for the recipe. Hope you enjoy it ! Great to bring to a potluck gathering !!!!

Provided by Carol Junkins

Categories Pasta

Time 1h25m

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/4 c olive oil or salad oil
1 lb italian sausage (sliced)
1 large onion
1 clove garlic
1 large green pepper, yellow or orange chopped and cooked with onion and sausage
1 lb mushrooms (sliced)
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1/4 lb morzzarella cheese (cubed or sliced)
11/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1-6oz can(s) tomato paste
3 c water
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp sugar

Steps:

1. Heat oil and saute onion, garlic and sausage slices until meat is brown. Add remaining ingredients (except rigatoni and cheeses) and bring to boil. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Cook rigatoni, drain and rinse it.
2. Don't forget to sprinkle your parmesan and slice your morzzarella on top before you bake. Wrap tin foil tightly on top of 13x9" greased casserole you want to keep the moisture in.
3. Heat oven to 400 degrees - Put cooked rigatoni in greased casserole dish, cover with meat and sauce. Add cheeses Parm. and sliced or cubed morz) Bake 20 min. covered with foil. Spray the foil with oil so it won't stick to food.

Tips:

Choose the right sausage: Italian sausage comes in many varieties, so choose one that suits your taste. A mild sausage is a good option for those who don't like spicy food, while a hot sausage will add a kick of heat to the dish. You can also use a combination of mild and hot sausage for a more complex flavor.
Brown the sausage before adding it to the sauce: This will help to develop the flavor of the sausage and prevent it from becoming dry.
Use a good quality tomato sauce: The tomato sauce is the base of the dish, so make sure to use a sauce that you enjoy. You can use a store-bought sauce or make your own.
Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant to eat.
Top the dish with plenty of cheese: Cheese is essential for any Italian sausage rigatoni bake. Use a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for the best results.

Conclusion:

Italian sausage rigatoni bake is a hearty and delicious dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a casual party. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.