Description
This delicious baked rigatoni is loaded with savory sausage, creamy cheeses, and a tasty marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dry rigatoni pasta (or ziti)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Hot Italian Sausage
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2–3 jars marinara/spaghetti sauce (24 ounces each)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese
- Fresh Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook pasta 2 minutes under al dente according to package directions, drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add onions and sauté 2-3 minutes.
- Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 12 minutes. Drain fat and add in garlic; cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Add in sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, add cottage cheese, cream cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil; mix until combined.
- Add meat mixture to pasta and mix until combined.
- In a 9×13 baking dish, pour half the pasta mixture into the dish.
- Add small scoops of the cheese mixture on the pasta, then add the rest of the pasta.
- Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Feel free to add vegetables such as spinach or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg