Description
A comforting and hearty Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake combining tender rigatoni with savory Italian sausage, creamy spinach, tangy tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for an easy family dinner packed with Italian flavors and a cheesy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz uncooked rigatoni
Meat and Vegetables
- 1¼ pounds Italian sausage
- 1 (10-oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
- 1 (14.5-oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
Dairy
- 1 (8-oz) container chive-and-onion cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
Seasonings
- 3 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a deep dish 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the rigatoni pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool slightly.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain off excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Drain Spinach: Press the thawed frozen spinach between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring the bake doesn’t become watery.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked rigatoni, drained spinach, cooked sausage, dried minced onion flakes, undrained diced tomatoes, softened chive-and-onion cream cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese until well combined.
- Assemble Bake: Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese evenly on top for a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
Notes
- Pressing the spinach is key to prevent excess water from making the pasta bake soggy.
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage according to your spice preference.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked fresh for a dinner party.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
