Cheesy Pasta Bake

Recipe by Elle Penner, MPH RD of Two Spoons Studio

Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 70 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small white or yellow onion, diced
1 pound ground pork or chicken sausage
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 16-ounce box rigatoni pasta
1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream, or a creamy, full-fat plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup (1 oz) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 1/2 cups (5 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil, optional garnish
Red pepper flakes, optional garnish

This comforting cheesy pasta bake is loaded with rich flavors and creamy textures, making it an instant crowd-pleaser. Al dente pasta is tossed in a simple homemade meat sauce and then layered with a velvety blend of cottage cheese and sour cream. Finished with a generous topping of mozzarella and baked to bubbly, golden perfection, this hearty casserole is ideal for family dinners or gatherings.

Instructions

Sauté the onion and sausage. In a large, deep skillet or medium-sized pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the sausage, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, 5–7 minutes, then drain any excess fat.
Simmer the sauce. Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preheat the oven and cook the pasta. While the sauce simmers, preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta with cool water. Cover, and set aside.
Make the cottage cheese mixture. In a small bowl, mix the cottage cheese and sour cream until combined. Set aside.
Assemble the casserole. Carefully transfer the cooked sauce to the pasta pot, stirring to coat evenly. Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle with Parmesan, followed by the mozzarella cheese.
Bake and serve. Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Garnish with fresh basil, additional Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.