Published: by Absolutely Recipes, in the Meat recipes category.

4 Cheese Sausage Rigatoni Recipe.

Ingredients:

1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni pasta
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 TSPs Italian seasoning
1/2 TSP crushed red pepper flakes
1 carton (15 ounces) whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1 log (4 ounces) fresh goat cheese, softened
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 TSP salt
1/2 TSP pepper
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
Torn fresh basil, optional

Recipe Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a 6 quart stockpot, cook rigatoni according to package directions.
Drain; transfer to a bowl.

In same stockpot, cook and crumble sausage with red pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink.
Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.
Drain.
Add cream; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning and pepper flakes.
Cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat until sauce thickens slightly, 5-8 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, goat cheese, egg and seasonings.

Stir rigatoni into meat sauce.
Spread 3 cups into each of two greased 11x7" baking dishes.
Top each with half of cheese mixture, then half of remaining pasta mixture.

Bake, covered, 25 minutes.
Sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake, uncovered, until cheeses are melted, about 5 minutes.
If desired, sprinkle with basil.

Freeze option: Prepare casseroles without mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; freeze cheeses separately in resealable plastic freezer bags.
Cover and freeze unbaked casseroles.
To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight.
Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake casseroles as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165 degrees.
If desired, sprinkle with basil.

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