Description
Craving the ultimate comfort food? This *Cheesy Beef and Italian Sausage Rigatoni in Garlic Butter Sauce* is a rich, indulgent pasta dish loaded with tender rigatoni, seasoned beef, bold Italian sausage, and a velvety garlic butter cream sauce—baked under a bubbling layer of mozzarella and parmesan. It’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners, dinner party showstoppers, or meal prep favorites. Whether you’re searching for *easy dinner recipes*, *comfort food ideas*, or just a solid *pasta bake recipe*, this dish delivers flavor in every cheesy, saucy bite.
Ingredients
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1/2 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
1/2 pound ground beef
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh spinach
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until just shy of al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage and ground beef until fully browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the pan and melt. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, just until fragrant.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Stir the cooked meats back into the sauce and combine well.
6. Add fresh spinach to the pan and stir until wilted. Then mix in mozzarella and parmesan until fully melted.
7. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
8. Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
9. Transfer mixture to a baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Top with more mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan.
10. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
11. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that affect texture.
Slightly undercook your pasta when boiling—it will finish cooking in the oven without becoming mushy.
If reheating, add a splash of cream or broth to loosen up the sauce and bring back the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: cheesy rigatoni, baked pasta, comfort food, beef pasta, Italian sausage pasta, garlic butter sauce, pasta bake, easy dinner