The Coziest Cheesy Italian Sausage And Spinach Rigatoni Bake Recipe

Bubbling with robust flavors, this hearty cheesy Italian sausage and spinach rigatoni bake promises a comforting meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Savory Italian sausage melds perfectly with tender spinach and al dente rigatoni pasta.

Rich, melted cheese blankets every single bite with irresistible warmth.

Each forkful delivers a delightful combination of smoky sausage and earthy greens nestled in creamy sauce.

The pasta’s ridged texture captures every drop of delicious sauce, ensuring maximum flavor in each mouthful.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings call for this crowd-pleasing dish that comes together with minimal effort.

Serve this soul-warming pasta bake and watch as everyone reaches for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 566 kcal

Servings: 7

Start With These for Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Rigatoni Bake

• Italian Sausage Links: Brings rich, spicy depth and authentic Italian character to the dish, choose fresh links with visible herbs and no excess liquid.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty complexity and helps create a silky sauce texture, select a wedge and grate fresh for maximum flavor intensity.

• Rigatoni: Sturdy pasta with ridges perfect for holding sauce, look for bronze-cut varieties for optimal sauce adhesion.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Provides sweet-tangy burst and vibrant color, choose ripe, firm tomatoes with deep red hue.
• Marinara Sauce: Creates foundational tomato base, opt for authentic Italian brands or homemade for best results.
• Spinach: Introduces earthy freshness and nutritional boost, select crisp, deep green leaves without wilting.

• Mozzarella (Shredded and Fresh Slices): Delivers creamy melting quality and golden-brown top, choose high-moisture variety for best stretch.
• Parsley: Adds bright herbal freshness and visual appeal, pick vibrant green leaves with no yellowing.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic base note, select firm bulbs with tight, unbroken skin.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat and complexity, choose high-quality, bright red flakes.
• Oregano: Contributes classic Italian herb profile, select dried herbs with intense aroma.

Prep Tool Needed for Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Rigatoni Bake

• Large sheet pan: Perfect for roasting sausage evenly.
• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of room.
• Heavy-bottomed pot: Ideal for sautéing sausage and creating sauce.
• 12-inch cast iron skillet or 9×13-inch baking dish: Necessary for baking the rigatoni.
• Colander: Used for draining pasta.
• Chef's knife: Needed for slicing sausage, cutting tomatoes, and chopping parsley.
• Cutting board: Provides surface for chopping ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing pasta.
• Measuring cups: Helps measure olive oil and pasta water accurately.
• Cheese grater: Used for grating Parmesan cheese.

How You’ll Cook Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Rigatoni Bake

• Sausage Preparation

Roast sausage links on a sheet pan at 450°F for about 12 minutes until fully cooked. Let cool slightly and slice into bite-sized pieces.

• Pasta Cooking

Boil rigatoni in salted water, cooking 2 minutes less than package directions for perfect al dente texture.

• Flavor Building

Sizzle sausage pieces in a pot with olive oil. Add cherry tomatoes and let them burst naturally. Sprinkle in garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes for a zesty kick.

• Sauce Creation

Pour marinara sauce into the pot. Stir in fresh spinach and pasta water, creating a rich, silky sauce. Blend in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.

• Pasta Mixing

Combine pasta with the robust sauce, ensuring each noodle is beautifully coated. Fold in fresh parsley for a bright finish.

• Baking Magic

Transfer to a greased baking dish. Layer with mozzarella, alternating pasta and cheese. Top with additional fresh mozzarella slices.

• Final Touch

Bake at 450°F for 8 minutes until cheese melts. Broil for 1-2 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly crust.

Make It Better: Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Rigatoni Bake Tweaks & Ideas

• Toss in roasted zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms to increase vegetable content and add more nutritional depth to the dish.
• Mix different cheeses like fontina, provolone, or pecorino romano with mozzarella for a more complex and rich cheese profile.
• Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

Best Ways to Plate Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Rigatoni Bake

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice a fresh baguette or Italian bread to soak up the delicious sauce, adding extra texture and flavor to your meal.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Toss crisp romaine lettuce with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy pasta dish.
• Serve with Chilled White Wine: Complement the sausage and tomato flavors with a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for a complete dining experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle additional chopped parsley or basil on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh finish to the baked rigatoni.

Keep It Fresh: Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Rigatoni Bake Storage Tips

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover rigatoni bake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the baked casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or restore entire dish's crispiness by baking in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. This technique intensifies flavor and saves time during busy weeknights.

Hearty Cheesy Italian Sausage And Spinach Rigatoni Bake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comforting cheesy Italian sausage and spinach rigatoni bake delivers hearty Mediterranean flavors with rich pasta layers. Melted cheese, savory sausage, and fresh spinach combine for a perfect weeknight dinner you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) mild Italian sausage links
• ½ lb (227 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ lb (227 g) fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb (454 g) rigatoni
• 1 (24 oz / 680 g) jar marinara sauce
• 1 lb (454 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ lb (113 g) fresh spinach
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup (60 ml) + a drizzle olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sausage Roasting: Preheat oven to 450°F and roast olive oil-coated Italian sausage links on a sheet pan for 12 minutes until fully cooked, then slice into quarter-inch medallions.
2. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook rigatoni 2 minutes less than package instructions for perfect al dente texture, reserving half cup starchy pasta water.
3. Flavor Building: In a heavy-bottomed pot, sauté sausage slices in olive oil until golden, then add cherry tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes, allowing tomatoes to burst and release juices.
4. Sauce Creation: Pour marinara sauce into the pot, incorporate fresh spinach, starchy pasta water, and fold in Parmesan cheese until melted and integrated.
5. Pasta Integration: Drain rigatoni and gently fold into sauce with chopped parsley, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
6. Cheese Layering: Coat a cast iron skillet or baking dish with olive oil, layer half the pasta mixture, spread shredded mozzarella, repeat with remaining pasta, and top with fresh mozzarella slices.
7. Final Baking: Bake for 8 minutes until cheese melts, then broil 1-2 minutes to achieve a golden-brown, crispy cheese crust.

Notes

• Optimize Sausage Roasting: Coat links generously with olive oil to enhance caramelization and prevent sticking during high-heat roasting.
• Master Al Dente Pasta: Undercook rigatoni by 2 minutes to ensure perfect texture when baked, as pasta continues cooking in the sauce.
• Build Flavor Layers: Sauté sausage and burst tomatoes before adding herbs to develop deep, complex taste profile throughout the dish.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Use a combination of shredded and fresh mozzarella for ultimate creamy texture and appealing golden-brown top layer during final broiling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 566
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 970 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg