Hearty Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe: Tangy Comfort

Simmering with rich, robust flavors, this creamy tuscan sausage pasta bake recipe promises a comforting meal that dances on your palate.

Tender pasta nestles between layers of savory Italian sausage and a luxurious sauce that whispers of tuscan countryside kitchens.

Melted cheese creates a golden, crispy top that adds irresistible texture to every forkful.

Herbs and spices weave through the dish, bringing depth and warmth to each bite.

The combination of hearty ingredients makes this pasta bake more than just a meal – it’s a culinary journey through Italian-inspired comfort food.

Fresh ingredients and simple techniques come together to create a dish that feels both elegant and homey.

Grab your apron and get ready to savor every delicious moment of this irresistible pasta bake.

Keep It Fresh: Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake Storage Tips

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping flavors fresh and ingredients protected from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap the dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain texture and taste.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or bake in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out and restore creamy consistency.
• Portion and Prep: Divide the pasta bake into single-serving containers for quick grab-and-go lunches or dinners during busy weekdays, ensuring convenient and delicious meal options.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 740 kcal

Servings: 7

Start With These for Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake

• Rigatoni Pasta: Hearty tube-shaped pasta perfect for trapping creamy sauce and providing substantial texture.

• Ground Italian Sausage: Robust meat that delivers rich, spicy undertones and authentic Mediterranean character.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid gold that adds depth and savory complexity to the sauce.

• Butter: Silky base that creates luxurious smoothness and adds golden richness.
• Heavy Cream: Decadent liquid creating velvety texture and elegant mouthfeel.
• Garlic: Pungent aromatic that elevates entire dish with its intense, earthy essence.
• Parmesan Cheese: Nutty, sharp cheese providing salty umami and creamy binding.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated sweet-tangy gems that burst with Mediterranean sunshine.
• Spinach: Delicate leafy green bringing vibrant color and nutritional boost.

• Italian Seasoning: Harmonious herb mix capturing traditional Mediterranean flavors.
• Salt: Essential mineral enhancing overall taste profile.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy seasoning adding subtle heat.
• Paprika: Mild pepper providing gentle warmth and beautiful reddish undertone.

Prep Tool Needed for Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking sausage and making creamy sauce.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for breaking apart sausage and stirring ingredients.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly blending sauce and melting cheese.
• Colander: Needed to drain cooked pasta.
• Baking dish: Used for final baking and serving the pasta.
• Cutting board: For chopping spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
• Sharp knife: Helps with precise ingredient preparation.

How You’ll Cook Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake

• Pasta Preparation

Boil rigatoni in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside.

• Sausage Foundation

Brown Italian sausage in a skillet, breaking into crumbly pieces, then remove excess fat.

• Creamy Sauce Creation

Melt butter and gently sauté garlic with sun-dried tomatoes. Pour in broth, cream, and seasonings, whisking until smooth. Blend Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes silky and rich.

• Spinach and Mixing

Fold fresh spinach into the sauce, allowing it to soften. Combine cooked pasta and sausage, ensuring every morsel gets beautifully coated.

• Baking Magic

Transfer everything to a baking dish, sprinkle extra Parmesan on top. Slide into a preheated oven at 350°F and bake until the surface turns golden and edges bubble with deliciousness.

Make It Better: Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake Tweaks & Ideas

• Replace ground Italian sausage with spicy chorizo, mild turkey sausage, or plant-based sausage crumbles for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Fold in roasted bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or artichoke hearts to increase nutritional value and add extra texture to the pasta bake.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like fontina, mozzarella, or pecorino romano to create a more complex and rich cheesy sauce.
• Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
• Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.

Best Ways to Plate Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake

• Serve with Fresh Salad: Pair the pasta bake with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy flavors of the dish.
• Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh note and enhance the visual appeal.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the robust sausage and creamy sauce with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or a zesty Sangiovese to elevate the dining experience.
• Create a Breadstick Side: Serve warm garlic breadsticks or crusty Italian bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch to the meal.

Rustic Tuscan Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Tuscan sausage pasta bake blends Italian countryside flavors with comforting ingredients. Rich layers of pasta, sausage, and cheese create a satisfying meal that welcomes diners to savor each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground Italian sausage
• 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, finely shredded
• 1 lb (454 g) rigatoni pasta
• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (177 ml) low sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups (60 g) baby spinach, chopped
• ½ cup (75 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced
• 1 tbsps (15 ml) butter
• 3 tsps (15 ml) garlic, minced
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp (5 ml) black pepper
• 1 tsp (5 ml) paprika
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil rigatoni in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain while reserving a small amount of cooking liquid.
2. Sausage Searing: Brown ground Italian sausage in a large skillet, meticulously crumbling and rendering out excess fat until meat is completely cooked.
3. Aromatics Awakening: Melt butter in the same skillet, then quickly sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to release their intense flavor profile.
4. Sauce Creation: Whisk chicken broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and paprika together, simmering until the mixture develops a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.
5. Cheese Integration: Gradually fold Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring continuously until achieving a silky, smooth texture that coats the back of a spoon.
6. Green Enhancement: Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, stirting until they delicately wilt and merge seamlessly with the creamy sauce.
7. Combining Elements: Gently fold cooked pasta and browned sausage into the sauce, ensuring every morsel is generously coated. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Baking Preparation: Transfer the entire mixture to a baking dish, spreading evenly and topping with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a golden, crispy finish.
9. Final Baking: Roast in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 18-22 minutes, watching for a bubbling, golden-brown surface that signals perfect doneness.

Notes

• Pasta Water Trick: Reserve some starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, helping create a smoother, silkier texture without compromising flavor intensity.
• Sausage Drainage Tip: Thoroughly drain excess fat after browning sausage to prevent greasy final dish and ensure clean, rich meat flavor.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add Parmesan gradually and stir consistently to prevent clumping, allowing for a perfectly smooth and creamy sauce.
• Wilting Spinach Hack: Fold spinach into sauce just until leaves begin to wilt, maintaining vibrant color and preventing overcooking that could make greens soggy.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 740
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg