Baked rigatoni with italian sausage and fennel –Yo, let me tell you ’bout this bomb dish that’s about to take your taste buds on a trip—Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Fennel. It’s the kind of meal that’s perfect for a chill night in or when you wanna impress your peeps. Trust me, once you get a whiff of this, you ain’t gonna wanna share.
Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Fennel
Get ready to dig in! This ain’t just any pasta dish; it’s packed with flavors that’ll hit you right in the soul. Let’s break down what you’ll need to whip this up:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Get that heat right, so your dish can come out perfectly baked.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the sausage and break it up with a spatula. Cook until it’s browned and cooked through.
- Add the diced onion, garlic, and fennel seeds to the skillet. Stir it up for about 5-7 minutes until the onions are soft and fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Let this simmer for about 10 minutes, giving all those flavors a chance to mingle. Season it with salt and pepper to taste.
- Meanwhile, cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and mix it into the skillet with the sausage and sauce.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan. Mix it well.
- Now it’s time to layer it up! In a baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture, then dollop half of the ricotta mixture over it. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Once it’s done, let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and serve. That’s how you do it!
This dish is a game changer. Not only is it comforting, but it’s also just downright delicious. So gather your folks, serve it up, and enjoy a meal that bring you all together!