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Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Bake with Garlic Bread Crust

creamy sausage rigatoni bake - featured image
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This comforting one-pan pasta bake features creamy rigatoni, savory Italian sausage, and a golden, garlicky bread crust. It’s easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for busy weeknights or special gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta, uncooked
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casing removed (sweet and/or spicy)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, torn (for serving, optional)
  • 1 loaf French baguette or Italian bread (about 12 oz), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until just al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Lower heat and add crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add reserved pasta water, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce is glossy.
  6. Add drained rigatoni to the skillet and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
  7. In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and salt. Add bread slices and toss until coated.
  8. Arrange bread slices over the pasta bake, overlapping slightly for a full crust.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until bread topping is golden and crisp and cheese is bubbling. If needed, broil for 2 minutes to brown the bread (watch closely).
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Scatter fresh basil on top, if using. Slice and serve hot, ensuring each portion gets some garlic bread crust.

Notes

For gluten-free or vegetarian adaptations, substitute GF pasta and bread or use sautéed vegetables instead of sausage. Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente is best. Brown the sausage well for maximum flavor. Overlap bread slices for a sturdy crust. Broil with caution to avoid burning. The sauce should be thick and glossy before adding pasta. Leftovers taste even better as flavors deepen overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: rigatoni bake, creamy pasta, sausage casserole, garlic bread crust, one-pan dinner, comfort food, Italian pasta bake, easy family meal

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/creamy-sausage-rigatoni-bake-recipe-easy-one-pan-dinner-with-garlic-bread-crust/