Name: Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 10 oz rigatoni; 1 lb Italian sausage; 1 onion diced; 3 cloves garlic minced; 2 tsp Italian seasoning; ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper; ¾ tsp kosher salt; 24 oz pasta sauce; 2 large eggs whisked; 1 cup ricotta; ¼ tsp kosher salt; ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

There’s something utterly comforting about a gooey, cheesy baked pasta, and this Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe hits every note. Rich sausage, melty cheeses, and tender rigatoni all baked together—it’s like a warm hug on a plate that’s perfect for sharing, weeknight dinners, or anytime you want a fuss-free Italian classic.

The image shows a baked pasta dish in a black baking dish with one handle visible. The pasta is rigatoni, cooked and mixed with a red sauce that seeps through the layers. The top layer is thickly covered with melted cheese that is golden and slightly browned in some spots, giving it a bubbly texture. Some green herb bits are visible mixed in the cheese and sauce, adding small pops of color. A white plate with a portion of the baked pasta is partly visible in the top left corner. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe with you because it’s one of those meals that never fails to impress, yet it’s incredibly straightforward to make. I keep coming back to it when I want comfort food that doesn’t require layers of sticky sheets or hours of fussing.

Simple Layering: Instead of traditional sheets, rigatoni pasta does the heavy lifting, making assembly faster and less messy.
Rich, Flavorful Sauce: Using Italian sausage with herbs and garlic creates a hearty, savory base that pairs perfectly with cheese.
Cheese Lovers Rejoice: With creamy ricotta, sharp Parmesan, and loads of mozzarella, it’s a cheese extravaganza that’s irresistible.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This casserole is great for prepping ahead, freeing you up on busy days without compromising taste.

A close-up image of a baked pasta dish in a black baking pan with three visible layers. The bottom layer is made of rigatoni pasta, showing a light orange color with some sauce coating the pasta. Above that is a mixture of cheese and herbs, creamy white with green specks. The top layer is melted cheese with browned spots, golden yellow with scattered darker brown areas. A silver large spoon is scooping some pasta from the bottom left corner, revealing the layers inside. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe plays a crucial role to make this dish shine. Their textures and flavors complement each other beautifully, from the hearty sausage to creamy cheeses. Choosing quality ingredients really takes this casserole to the next level.

Flat lay of a handful of uncooked rigatoni pasta, a small mound of raw Italian sausage, a diced yellow onion, three peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl of mixed Italian seasoning, another small white bowl with freshly ground black pepper, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl filled with red pasta sauce, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small heap of creamy white ricotta cheese, a small bunch of freshly chopped green parsley, a small pile of grated pale yellow Parmesan cheese, and a small mound of shredded white mozzarella cheese, all arranged in a balanced symmetrical layout on simple white ceramic bowls and plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Rigatoni: Its ridges and hollow center hold the sauce and cheese perfectly—you want pasta that captures every bit of flavor.
Italian Sausage: Adds savory richness and just the right hint of spices; I like mild sausage, but spicy works if you like a kick.
Onion: Gives sweetness and depth once softened, balancing the meat’s richness.
Garlic: Essential aromatic that infuses the sauce with that classic Italian kitchen vibe.
Italian Seasoning: A blend that brings in herbs like basil and oregano for that unmistakable flavor profile.
Pasta Sauce: I prefer a good-quality jarred tomato sauce—don’t shy away from ones with real herbs and less sugar.
Ricotta Cheese: Adds creaminess and lightness; mixing it with eggs helps it set just right during baking.
Eggs: The binder that helps the ricotta mixture hold together without being runny.
Fresh Parsley: Brings a fresh, bright contrast inside the ricotta blend—don’t skip this!
Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and nutty, freshly grated Parmesan lends complexity and umami.
Mozzarella Cheese: Loads of mozzarella make the top melty and luscious; shredding from a block always tastes better.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I find this Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe is pretty forgiving, which means you can easily tweak it to your taste or what’s on hand in your fridge. I sometimes swap parsley for fresh basil or add mushrooms for extra earthiness.

Variation: Once, I tried turkey sausage instead of pork to lighten it up a bit—still delicious and kid-approved in my house.
Vegetarian Option: Swap sausage for sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based alternative to keep it hearty.
Spicier Kick: Add red pepper flakes or use hot Italian sausage to spice things up if you're into bold flavors.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Get the pasta just right

Start by boiling the rigatoni in salted water, following package instructions to cook it al dente—you want the pasta to have a little bite since it’s going into the oven for more cooking. Drain it carefully and set it aside to cool so it doesn’t stick.

Step 2: Brown your sausage and build the sauce

Heat a large saucepan over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage while breaking it into bite-sized pieces. When it’s nicely cooked with some golden spots, add diced onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until onion softens beautifully. Pour in your jarred pasta sauce, let it simmer gently for about five minutes, then remove from heat. This step fills your kitchen with that incredible aroma and layers your flavors beautifully.

Step 3: Mix the creamy ricotta filling

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, ricotta, salt, chopped fresh parsley, Parmesan, and a cup of shredded mozzarella. This mixture adds those gorgeous pockets of creamy, cheesy goodness that give this casserole its signature texture.

Step 4: Assemble, dollop, and sprinkle

Toss the cooked rigatoni with your meat sauce until everything’s well coated, then spread it evenly in your greased 9x13-inch baking dish. You want to dot the ricotta mixture in about 6 dollops over the pasta—not perfectly spread, but more like little islands of cheesy bliss. Give the ricotta a gentle swirl into the pasta so you get ribbons of it throughout, then sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.

Step 5: Bake until bubbly and melty

Bake at 350°F for 35 to 45 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and cheese is fully melted. If you want that golden-brown crusty top, turn the broiler on for the last 1-2 minutes—but watch it close so it doesn’t burn.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks that make this Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe come out even better—trust me, they make all the difference and save you from common kitchen pitfalls.

Use Fresh Cheese: Grate your own Parmesan and shred mozzarella from a block—fresh cheese melts better and has way more flavor than pre-shredded stuff.
Don’t Overmix Ricotta: Dolloping the ricotta mixture unevenly creates those perfect pockets of creamy bites; spreading it too much actually flattens the texture.
Timing the Sauce Simmer: Letting your sauce simmer briefly after adding the sausage and aromatics brings out the best depth of flavor without making it watery.
Bake Covered (Optional): If you want to keep the casserole super moist, covering with foil for the first 25 minutes, then uncovering for the remainder, helps retain juices without drying out the top.

How to Serve Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Sausage Lasagna - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish mine with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil leaves—bright green herbs add a pop of color and a fresh flavor that perfectly contrasts the rich, cheesy layers. A little cracked black pepper on top doesn’t hurt, either!

Side Dishes

For sides, I love pairing this casserole with a crisp mixed greens salad dressed simply with olive oil and lemon, or even some roasted vegetables like zucchini or asparagus. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette rounds out the meal nicely for dipping into any leftover sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve made this for casual dinner parties, I serve it in individual ramekins to keep portions neat and add a little fancy flair. For holidays or big family gatherings, I sometimes sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top for added crunch and presentation punch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep really well in the fridge—just cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. I find letting it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before reheating helps it reheat evenly.

Freezing

You can freeze this casserole either before or after baking. If freezing before, I assemble in a freezer-safe dish, tightly cover it with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. For leftovers, portion into airtight containers for quick and delicious meals later on.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until warmed through to keep the crust from drying out. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the cheese a bit rubbery if overheated—so low and slow in the oven is my top choice.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply replace the Italian sausage with sautéed mushrooms, diced eggplant, or your favorite plant-based sausage alternative to keep it hearty and flavorful.

How can I prevent the casserole from drying out?

Cover the casserole with foil for the first 25 minutes of baking to lock in moisture. Then uncover to let the cheese brown. Also, make sure not to overbake to keep it nice and saucy.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

The oven is your best friend here: reheat covered at 350°F for about 20 minutes until hot. This keeps the pasta moist and cheese melty without turning rubbery, unlike the microwave.

Can I use other pasta shapes?

Yes! While rigatoni is ideal for holding the sauce and cheese, penne or ziti also work well. Just make sure whichever pasta you choose cooks al dente so it doesn’t overcook in the oven.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe has become my go-to for those days when I want cozy, satisfying food without the headache of assembling a traditional lasagna. It’s hearty, cheesy, and so easy to throw together. I hope you give it a try soon—you'll find it quickly earns a spot in your regular dinner rotation, just like it did in mine.