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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil rigatoni in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain while reserving a small amount of cooking liquid.
- Sausage Searing: Brown ground Italian sausage in a large skillet, meticulously crumbling and rendering out excess fat until meat is completely cooked.
- Aromatics Awakening: Melt butter in the same skillet, then quickly sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to release their intense flavor profile.
- 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.
- Cheese Integration: Gradually fold Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring continuously until achieving a silky, smooth texture that coats the back of a spoon.
- Green Enhancement: Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, stirting until they delicately wilt and merge seamlessly with the creamy sauce.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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