Rigatoni Italian Sausage Cheese Bake : International Home Cooking

Italian sausage

🥗Healthier: chicken sausage

💰Cheaper: pork sausage

Chicken sausage reduces fat content while maintaining flavor.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories and provides a cheesy flavor.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook rigatoni in boiling water until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.

Drain rigatoni, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.

Add sliced Italian sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving the drippings.

Add chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add canned tomatoes and sugar to the skillet; simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Return the sausage to the skillet and mix well with the sauce.

Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet, tossing to combine with the sauce.

If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Stir in chopped basil and parsley; season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve hot, topped with grated parmesan cheese.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Allergens