Description
This Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender rigatoni pasta baked with savory Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and a rich marinara sauce, all topped with plenty of melted mozzarella cheese and garnished with fresh parsley. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb. rigatoni pasta, cooked and drained
Sausage & Vegetables
- 1 lb. ground Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
Sauce & Cheese
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook while stirring frequently until it’s partially cooked. Next, add the sliced green bell pepper and onion to the skillet. Continue cooking until the sausage is fully cooked through and the vegetables are soft. Set this mixture aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, place the cooked and drained rigatoni pasta. Add the cooked sausage and vegetables mixture on top. Pour in the marinara sauce, then sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the mixture. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper according to taste. Stir everything together gently to combine evenly.
- Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the dish is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious cheesy Italian sausage pasta bake.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add some crushed red pepper flakes when cooking the sausage for a spicy kick.
- You can substitute rigatoni with penne or ziti pasta if preferred.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and ensure marinara sauce is gluten-free.
- Try adding other vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for added nutrition.
- Want more pasta recipes? Try these: Garlicky Kale Sausage & Butternut Squash Pasta Bake, Creamy 3-Cheese Chicken & Garlic Pasta, Cheesy Chicken & Brussels Sprouts Pasta Bake.
Keywords: Italian sausage pasta bake, baked rigatoni, cheesy pasta bake, Italian dinner recipe, comfort food pasta