60 minutes
A hearty and comforting baked pasta dish featuring savory sausage, tangy tomatoes, and creamy cheeses.
Rigatoni, Cooked al dente
0 lb
Italian Sausage, Casing removed
0 lb
Onion, Chopped
each
Garlic, Minced
cloves
Crushed Tomatoes, Canned
0 oz
teaspoons
cups
Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded
cups
Parmesan Cheese, Grated
cups
Basil, Fresh
to garnish
1. Preheat Oven and Boil Pasta
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Then, drain and set aside.
2. Cook Sausage
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces and cook until browned.
3. Add Onion and Garlic
To the skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Then, stir in the crushed tomatoes and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Combine Pasta with Sauce and Cheeses
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the sausage-tomato mixture. Stir in the ricotta cheese.
5. Assemble and Bake
Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Garnish and Serve
Remove from oven, let sit for a few minutes, and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Use a flavorful, high-fat sausage and quality ricotta and tomato sauce to strongly influence the dish's final flavor profile.
Blend different cheeses like mozzarella, parmesan, and fontina or Gruyère, and use freshly grated cheese for better melting.
Fully render the sausage, breaking it into small pieces for even browning and a nicely caramelized finish.
Bake covered with foil to trap moisture, then uncover to achieve a golden-brown crust, finishing with a broil for crispiness if desired.
Choose pasta like rigatoni or penne rigate and cook just shy of al dente to allow it to finish cooking as it bakes without becoming mushy.
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