Spinach & Sausage Rigatoni Bake

Brown the onions in the bottom of pan

Brown the sausage..drain

Mix ingredients together...




Pour in the pan and top with cheese... sorry I forgot to take a picture of it baked with cheese on top, it looked and tasted wonderful!

you top this with cheese and bake for 30 minutes covered and then 10-15 uncovered... the directions say 15, but I would do no more than 10.


My friend made this for another friend when she had a baby, so I happen to try it one day and asked for the recipe... she is always good for new recipes!  I usually make it with HOT sausage and I didn't this time... I say do it!


Spinach & Sausage Rigatoni Bake

Prep: 15 min., Bake: 1 hr.

Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 8  ounces  uncooked rigatoni
• 1  tablespoon  olive oil
• 1  cup  finely chopped onion (about 1 medium)
• 1  (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 3  cups  cooked, crumbled hot Italian sausage
• 1  (14.5-oz.) can Italian-style diced tomatoes
• 2 (8-oz.) containers chive-and-onion cream cheese
• 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream (just to make it extra moist)
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1 1/2  cups  (6 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation

1. Prepare rigatoni according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, spread oil on bottom of an 11- x 7-inch baking dish; add onion in a single layer.

3. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or just until tender. Transfer onion to a large bowl, and set aside.

4. Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between layers of paper towels.

5. Stir rigatoni, spinach, sausage, and next 3 ingredients into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into baking dish, and sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.

6. Bake, covered, at 375° for 30 minutes; uncover and bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.

Susan Runkle, Walton, Kentucky, Southern Living, FEBRUARY 2007