Description
Looking for an easy dinner that checks every comfort food box? This Cheesy Beef and Italian Sausage Rigatoni in Garlic Butter Sauce is the ultimate weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor. Featuring tender rigatoni coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, this pasta is packed with seasoned beef, spicy Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and loads of melty cheese. Whether you’re searching for dinner ideas, a quick pasta bake, or just need a cozy easy recipe to satisfy your cravings, this dish is guaranteed to become a household favorite. Bonus: it reheats like a dream and is perfect for leftovers or meal prep!
Ingredients
1 lb rigatoni pasta
0.5 lb ground beef
0.5 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
4 tbsp unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
0.5 cup reserved pasta water
0.25 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
0.33 cup heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until just al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and sausage over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional heavy cream.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Return meat to the skillet. Add pasta water as needed to create a sauce.
5. In a large bowl, mix cooked rigatoni with ricotta. Gently fold in the meat and spinach mixture.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and add the pasta mixture. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and broil 3–5 minutes until golden.
8. Let rest for 5–10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
Freshly grated cheese melts better and gives the best golden finish on top.
To make it spicier, opt for hot Italian sausage and increase red pepper flakes.
If prepping ahead, assemble and refrigerate; just bake 10 minutes longer if cold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1.5 cups
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta, beef rigatoni, garlic butter pasta, comfort food, pasta bake