Sausage and Kale Pasta Bake Recipe

Lift up a scoop of sausage and kale pasta bake and watch the mozzarella stretch. Now you know you've made it right. Sometimes, you need to be able to throw together comfort food dishes like this homestyle rigatoni casserole for those nights when your priority is eating rather than slaving over the stove.

Related: Light And Easy Pasta Dishes For Your Weeknight

Casseroles are also a great way to feed a lot of people when it's cold. Yet with this casserole, there's no cream of some canned soup is involved in any way. Casseroles can be hearty and yet made with great fresh ingredients. Make one using tons of squash layered with cheese that encourages folks to eat just as much squash as cheese. That's the beauty of most great casseroles: a lot of cheese.

Servings: 4 to 6
When you need to feed a lot of people, but also make them happy: sausage and kale pasta bake.
Ingredients
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, removed from casing
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
1 bunch kale, washed thoroughly and roughly chopped
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 pound rigatoni
1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese
1/2 cup good-quality parmesan, coarsely grated
8 ounces mozzarella, shredded
coarse salt and ground pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, brown the sausage over medium-high heat until just cooked through, then remove to a layer of paper towels to drain using a slotted spoon.
2. Drain off the liquid, then return skillet to the stove and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onions and garlic for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the kale and tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook until wilted, about 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Meanwhile, boil the water for the pasta and cook according to the directions. Drain and return to pot.
5. Preheat oven to 375F.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, half the parmesan and half the mozzarella. Add kale and mix thoroughly.
7. Combine ricotta mixture with the pasta in the pot, stir in sausage, then transfer to a large casserole dish.
8. Evenly sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan over the top, then bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown and crisp.
9. Let rest for 20 minutes, then serve. Maybe with super easy step-by-step garlic bread?

More delicious baked pasta dishes from Food Republic:
Caramelized Onion And Prosciutto Macaroni And Cheese
Roast Chicken And Grilled Eggplant Lasagna Recipe
Creamy Artichoke Lasagna Bake Recipe

Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes