Description
This Four Cheese Baked Rigatoni recipe combines hearty Italian sausage, a medley of four cheeses, and a rich marinara sauce baked to golden perfection. Perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta is layered with savory sausage, creamy ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar cheeses, then baked until bubbly and browned on top. A comforting and satisfying dish that’s ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 1 pound uncooked rigatoni pasta
- 16 ounces Italian sausage
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauces and Cheese
- 3 cups (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the top third to ensure even baking and browning of the cheese topping.
- Cook the rigatoni: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the rigatoni for 2 minutes less than the package directions indicate to keep pasta firm. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot to keep warm.
- Cook the sausage and onions: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage with the chopped onion for about 10 minutes, breaking the sausage apart with a spoon and stirring occasionally until fully cooked and browned.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes: Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook for about 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Mix in marinara sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the sausage mixture and warm it through over medium heat for a few minutes, combining the flavors well.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add half of the sausage and sauce mixture to the cooked rigatoni in the pot and stir to coat the pasta evenly. Transfer this mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add ricotta and Parmesan layers: Dot spoonfuls of ricotta cheese across the pasta layer, then sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Add remaining sausage sauce: Spoon the remaining sausage and marinara sauce evenly over the ricotta and Parmesan layer.
- Top with shredded cheeses: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the entire dish to create a rich, cheesy crust.
- Bake and broil: Bake the dish uncovered at 375°F for 20 minutes until bubbly. Then switch to broil for a few minutes to brown and crisp the cheese topping—watch carefully to prevent burning. Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cooking the pasta al dente prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
- If you prefer less spice, omit the red pepper flakes.
- You can substitute Italian sausage with ground beef or turkey for a different flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms and add an extra cup of vegetables.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melting texture and flavor.
