Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Spicy Italian Sausage Baked Rigatoni, a hearty dish that layers tender pasta with rich marinara sauce, savory spicy sausage, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners, this recipe is not only easy to prepare but also allows for customization based on your tastes. With every bite, you’ll experience a delightful explosion of flavors that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds. Bake it ahead of time or enjoy it fresh from the oven—this dish is sure to become a favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dry ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Hot Italian Sausage
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2–3 jars marinara sauce (24 ounces each)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 8 ounce pkg cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese
- Fresh Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Cook ziti pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté diced onion until translucent. Add sausage and cook until browned. Stir in garlic and marinara; simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella (reserve some for topping), and basil.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the meat mixture, spoon dollops of cheese mixture, then add remaining meat mixture and top with reserved mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg