Description
This Manicotti Italian Casserole is a hearty and delicious baked pasta dish combining rigatoni, ground beef, Italian sausage, mushrooms, and a rich spaghetti sauce, all topped with gooey mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or gatherings, it delivers classic Italian-American comfort food flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
Sauce & Vegetables
- 2 (32 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
- 1 (8 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
Cheese & Toppings
- 1 ½ pounds shredded mozzarella cheese
- Thinly sliced pepperoni to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the meats: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage together until fully cooked. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked meat to a baking dish, leaving the drippings behind in the skillet.
- Combine ingredients: Into the baking dish with the meat, add the cooked rigatoni, spaghetti sauce, and drained mushrooms. Stir everything thoroughly to combine the flavors evenly.
- Add cheese and pepperoni: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta mixture, then layer thinly sliced pepperoni as desired for extra flavor and a nice finish.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this comforting Italian-inspired dish with family and friends.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute turkey sausage for Italian sausage and use part-skim mozzarella cheese.
- Drain the pasta well to avoid excess moisture that can make the casserole watery.
- You can prepare this casserole a day ahead and refrigerate before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs such as basil or oregano for enhanced flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
