Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe
This Cheesy Italian Sausage Pasta Bake is a comforting and hearty dish featuring rigatoni pasta mixed with savory Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and marinara sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection. Ideal for family dinners, this recipe combines bold flavors with creamy, cheesy goodness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
Vegetables and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cups marinara sauce
Cheese and Seasonings
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook, stirring frequently, until it is partially cooked. Then add sliced green bell pepper and onion, continuing to cook until the sausage is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients in Baking Dish: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the cooked rigatoni pasta with the sausage and vegetable mixture, marinara sauce, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Gently stir everything together to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- This recipe serves 8 people, making it perfect for feeding a family or group.
- For added flavor, you can substitute the marinara sauce with your favorite tomato basil pasta sauce.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, consider using hot Italian sausage instead of mild.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Want to try more pasta bakes? Check out Garlicky Kale Sausage & Butternut Squash Pasta Bake, Creamy 3-Cheese Chicken & Garlic Pasta, and Cheesy Chicken & Brussels Sprouts Pasta Bake.
Keywords: Italian sausage pasta bake, cheesy pasta bake, baked rigatoni, Italian comfort food, pasta casserole, cheesy sausage bake
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/cheesy-italian-sausage-pasta-bake-recipe/