Description
This Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Boursin Cheese is a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring al dente rigatoni baked with a savory sausage and creamy Boursin garlic & herb cheese sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, it’s perfect for a comforting family dinner that comes together in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
Sauce
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (4 oz) package Boursin cheese (garlic & herb flavor)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prepare the sauce.
- Sauté Onion: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Cook Sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the sausage is browned and fully cooked through, ensuring no pink remains.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell the aroma but it does not brown.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to blend all the flavors together.
- Add Boursin Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the Boursin cheese until it melts completely into a creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the cooked rigatoni and fresh chopped basil into the sausage and cheese sauce until well combined.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheeses are melted, bubbling, and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked rigatoni to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors settle and the dish cool slightly.
Notes
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute sausage with seasoned mushrooms or plant-based sausage.
- Fresh basil adds brightness but can be replaced with dried basil; use about one-third the amount if dried.
- Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat in the sauce.
- Make sure not to overcook pasta during boiling as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
