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Cheesy Beef and Italian Sausage Rigatoni in Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Author: Sally Thompson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop + Broil
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

Get ready to meet your new favorite comfort food — Cheesy Beef and Italian Sausage Rigatoni in Garlic Butter Sauce. This easy dinner recipe is everything you want in a baked pasta: bold, savory flavor from beef and Italian sausage, a silky garlic butter sauce, and gooey melted cheese in every bite. Perfect for a quick dinner, weekend comfort meal, or when you need new food ideas for pasta night. With simple ingredients and huge payoff, it’s one of those easy recipes you’ll keep coming back to. Great for family dinners, casual entertaining, or reheatable weekday leftovers!


Ingredients

Scale

1 pound rigatoni pasta

1/2 pound ground beef

1/2 pound Italian sausage

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 tablespoons butter

2 cups fresh spinach

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 cup reserved pasta water


Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook 1–2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up and cooking until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Reduce heat slightly, add butter, and stir until melted. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add a splash of pasta water if needed. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Add drained rigatoni to the skillet and toss to coat. Stir in half the mozzarella and half the parmesan. Mix until cheese is melty and evenly distributed.

6. Transfer pasta mixture to a baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Sprinkle optional red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning if desired.

7. Broil in the oven for 2–4 minutes until cheese is bubbling and golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.

8. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!


Notes

Use block cheese and shred it yourself for the smoothest melt.

If the sauce feels thick, a splash of pasta water brings everything together beautifully.

Let the pasta rest before serving to get cleaner scoops and better texture.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 640
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 34g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 31g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: easy dinner, baked pasta, rigatoni recipe, cheesy pasta, comfort food