A comforting and flavorful baked pasta dish that's perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Preheating ensures even cooking and a perfect bake.
Cook the rigatoni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Cooking the pasta al dente prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
In a large skillet, sauté the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage evenly.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened and fragrant.
Cooking the aromatics with the sausage enhances the flavor.
Stir in the marinara sauce and dried oregano, then let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
Mixing the cheeses creates a creamy layer for the dish.
Layer half of the cooked rigatoni in a greased baking dish, followed by half of the meat sauce and half of the cheese mixture.
Layering ensures every bite has a mix of flavors.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, finishing with a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
Adding cheese on top creates a golden, bubbly crust.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Covering prevents the top from browning too quickly.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Baking uncovered at the end gives the dish a beautiful finish.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Resting allows the layers to set for easier serving.
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