SPICY BAKED RIGATONI

Spicy Baked Rigatoni image

Provided by Sheila Lukins

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 each sweet and hot Italian sausages, casings removed
12 ounces rigatoni pasta
2 cups of your favorite prepared marinara sauce
2 medium-size ripe tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn coarsely
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
12 ounces mozzarella (make 6 slices and dice the remainder)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 9x13x2-inch baking dish.
2. Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the sausages and cook, breaking them up into clumps, until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a large bowl.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 12 minutes. Drain well and add to the sausages along with the marinara sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, pepper flakes, diced mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and cover the top with the mozzarella slices.
4. Bake until the cheese is melted and the pasta is heated through, about 20 minutes.