This Sausage Pasta Bake will become your new favorite weeknight meal! This recipe is easy to make and so flavorful with Italian sausage in a delicious tomato sauce. The mozzarella and Parmesan cheese create the perfect, comforting blend of bubbly, melted goodness.

overhead shot of pasta topped with cheese

Sausage pasta bake is a favorite of mine. It’s hearty, budget-friendly, and easy to make, even on the busiest weeknights. You can use any type of meat you want in this dish or leave it out entirelyโ€”see below for variations.

Looking for a filling and comforting dish? Stop looking! This Italian Sausage Pasta Bake is precisely what you need! It has flavorful sausage, favorite marinara sauce, ooey-gooey cheese, and rigatoni pasta. Plus, it comes together in just minutes!

pasta with spoon and cheese

Ingredient List for Sausage pasta bake

  • 1 lb rigatoni or penne pasta
  • Italian sausage
  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic
  • Roma Tomatoes
  • Pasta Sauce, I prefer Rao’s
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Fresh Basil, torn into pieces
overhead shot pasta casserole with cheese

how to make rigatoni pasta bake

Preheat oven to 375F.

Bring salted water to a boil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to the package directions. This should take 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta, rinse it with cold water, and set it aside.

In a frying pan, cook the sausage, onion, and garlic over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Use a spatula to break up the sausages into smaller pieces. Add the tomatoes and stir everything together. Then, cook until the meat is cooked through (3-5 minutes more); the onions and tomatoes should be soft.

skillet with sausage tomatoes and sauce

After adding the pasta sauce, turn the heat to medium and wait for the meat sauce to simmer. Next, gently stir it and season it with salt and pepper to taste.

Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes.

pasta sauce in skillet with wooden spoon

After the sauce has simmered, add the cooked pasta and gently stir until the noodles are evenly coated.

rigatoni pasta on top of sauce

Pour half of the pasta into a 9×13 glass pan and top with 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Add the remaining pasta on top of the cheese layer and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

pasta in baking pan sprinkled with shredded cheese

Bake the pasta for 25 minutes. The cheese should be melted and golden brown. After it cools for 15 minutes, your delicious food is ready to be eaten!

baked pasta overhead shot

Recipe Variations & Tips

  • If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, try replacing the sausage with mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant.
  • If you’re in the mood for a change from sausage, try some pepperoni, ground chicken, or beef.
  • For those who love carbs, there’s nothing quite like freshly baked pasta. This dish will last in the fridge for two days, whether you choose to eat it reheated or straight from the container.
  • Can I freeze-baked pasta? Yes! Just place your cooled pasta bake in a freezer-safe container and freeze it. Thawing overnight in the fridge is the best way to do this.
pasta with sauce and fork
    pasta with melted cheese on plate

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    collage image of pasta with melted cheese

    Sausage Pasta Bake

    Servings: 10
    Calories: 505 kcal
    If you're looking for a filling and comforting dish, look no further than this Italian Sausage Pasta Bake!

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb penne pasta
    • 1 lb Italian sausage
    • 1 cup yellow onion finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
    • 2 cups Roma tomatoes half in half
    • 4 cups pasta sauce I used Rao's
    • 3 cups mozzarella cheese
    • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • 1/4 cup fresh basil torn into pieces

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375F.
    • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook the pasta until it is al dente (fully cooked but still firm), about 8-10 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and set it aside.
    • Cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until browned – this should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Use a spatula to break the sausages into smaller pieces. Next, add in the tomatoes and stir everything together. Let it cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until Mean is cooked through; at that point, the onion and tomatoes should be tender too.
    • After adding the pasta sauce, turn the heat down to medium and wait for the meat sauce to reach a simmer. Then, stir occasionally and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    • Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
    • Once the sauce has simmered, add in the cooked pasta and gently stir together until the noodles are evenly coated.
    • Pour half of the pasta into a 9×13 glass pan and top with 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Add the remaining pasta on top of the cheese layer and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
    • Bake the pasta for 25 minutes. The cheese should be melted and golden brown. Let it cool for 15 minutes, then enjoy!

    Video

    Calories: 505kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 1173mgPotassium: 682mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1156IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 330mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know what you think!

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