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Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Mushrooms

This baked rigatoni with sausage and mushrooms is a sophisticated take on the classic pasta bake, offering a rich and punchy flavour profile. Combining the earthy depth of dried porcini with the savoury heat of Italian sausages, this high-protein dish is brought together in a silky sauce made with single cream and freshly grated Parmesan. It is a hearty, comforting meal that feels special enough for a weekend dinner party while remaining deeply satisfying.

Designed to serve a crowd, this recipe yields four generous dishes, making it an excellent choice for batch cooking or large family gatherings. The sauce can be prepared a day in advance to allow the flavours to develop further, and the assembled dishes can be chilled until you are ready to bake. Serve it with a crisp green salad and extra Parmesan for a truly indulgent homemade Italian feast.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Mushrooms

  • 110g dried porcini mushrooms

  • 950ml hot water

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil

  • 4 large onions, finely chopped

  • 2.3kg hot Italian sausages, casings removed

  • 1.8kg button mushrooms, sliced

  • 20ml chopped fresh rosemary

  • 2 cups dry white wine

  • 4 bay leaves

  • 2 400g cans beef broth

  • 950ml half cream

  • 1.8kg rigatoni

  • 700g freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • Additional grated Parmesan cheese

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

How to make Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Mushrooms

Rinse porcini mushrooms. Place in medium bowl. Add 950ml hot water, cover, and let stand until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving soaking liquid. Chop porcini.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in each of 2 heavy large pots over medium heat. Divide onions between pots; sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Divide sausage between pots. Increase heat to high and cook until no longer pink, breaking up into small pieces with back of fork, about 12 minutes. Divide button mushrooms and chopped rosemary between pots and stir until mushrooms begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Divide porcini, wine, and bay leaves between pots and boil until almost all liquid evaporates, stirring frequently, about 6 minutes. Divide porcini soaking liquid between pots, leaving sediment behind. Divide beef broth between pots. Boil until sauce is syrupy, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Divide half cream between pots; boil until thickened slightly, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. (Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and chill. Rewarm before continuing.)

Brush four 3 1/2-quart glass or porcelain baking dishes with oil. Cook pasta in 2 large pots of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Divide pasta between sauce in pots; stir to coat. Mix 350g cheese into each pot. Season pasta with salt and pepper. Divide among prepared baking dishes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)

Preheat oven to 191°C. Cover dishes with foil. Bake pasta just until hot but not bubbling, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with additional cheese. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and serve with additional cheese.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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