Description

This Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Boursin Cheese is a hearty and creamy Italian-inspired pasta casserole, combining spicy or mild Italian sausage with aromatic garlic and herb Boursin cheese, simmered in a savory tomato sauce, then topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for an easy family dinner or a comforting meal any night of the week.

Ingredients

Pasta

12 ounces rigatoni pasta

Sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (5.2-ounce) package Boursin garlic & herb cheese
½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Toppings

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni pasta until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking in the oven.
Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the Boursin cheese, breaking it up in the skillet until it melts into a creamy sauce. Stir in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it becomes smooth and well blended.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce and toss well to ensure every piece of pasta is coated evenly with the creamy sausage tomato mixture.
Assemble and Bake: Transfer the sauced pasta into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Rest and Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving for a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

You can use spicy sausage for a more robust flavor or ground turkey as a lighter alternative.
If Boursin cheese is unavailable, herbed goat cheese or cream cheese can be used as a substitute to add creamy richness.
To save time, the pasta can be cooked a day ahead and refrigerated, just rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
Leftovers store well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.