Hearty Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage and Olives: The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole
Finding new and exciting dinner recipes that truly delight everyone at the table can often feel like a culinary quest. It’s so easy to fall into the habit of rotating the same few dishes, leading to mealtime boredom. However, the true magic happens when you take a beloved classic and infuse it with a fresh, innovative twist. This approach ensures familiarity while introducing delightful new flavors and textures. Our Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage and Olives is the perfect embodiment of this philosophy. It’s a robust, comforting casserole that combines the cherished tastes of pasta, rich Italian sausage, and savory olives, all baked together in one magnificent dish.
The inspiration for this delectable creation came from an “Italian Sausage Pasta Bake” recipe I discovered on Sargento’s website. I was particularly eager to incorporate some of their exquisite Fancy Shredded 6 Cheese Italian Cheese that I had in my refrigerator. While the original recipe offered a fantastic foundation, I always enjoy customizing dishes to my personal taste and to feature specific ingredients. For this rendition, I made a few thoughtful adjustments: I introduced the unique salty tang of Kalamata olives, fine-tuned the selection of aromatic herbs, and subtly tweaked the rich tomato-based sauce. These modifications resulted in a dish that not only captivated my family’s palates but also earned a permanent spot in our meal rotation. This baked pasta casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a hearty, flavorful experience, ideal for a cozy autumn evening or any occasion when you crave deeply satisfying Italian comfort food.
Why You’ll Love This Italian Sausage and Pasta Casserole
This Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage is designed to become a staple in your kitchen. Here’s why it stands out:
- Effortlessly Delicious: Despite its complex and rich flavor profile, this recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without a lot of fuss.
- Hearty and Wholesome: Packed with protein from the Italian sausage and fulfilling pasta, this casserole is a complete meal that will keep everyone feeling full and content, making it ideal for growing families or active individuals.
- Incredibly Customizable: This recipe offers wonderful flexibility. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit various dietary preferences or to use whatever you have on hand, from different types of sausage to a variety of vegetables and cheeses.
- Universal Appeal: The familiar and beloved combination of pasta, savory sausage, and melty cheese ensures this casserole is a definite crowd-pleaser for both adults and picky eaters alike.
- Excellent for Meal Prep: One of its best qualities is how beautifully it reheats. This makes it an outstanding option for preparing ahead of time, enjoying as leftovers for lunch, or even freezing for future quick meals.
Mastering Your Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage: Tips for Success
Achieving a perfect, flavorful, and textured baked pasta dish is simple with these expert tips:
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: It’s crucial not to overcook your rotini. Boil it until it’s al dente, meaning it still has a firm bite. The pasta will continue to cook and absorb the delicious sauce in the oven, ensuring it doesn’t turn mushy.
- Brown the Sausage Properly: Take your time to thoroughly brown the Italian sausage. This step is key to developing a rich, deep, and savory flavor. The caramelized bits that form in the pan add an incredible layer of taste and texture to the entire dish.
- Prioritize Quality Ingredients: With a recipe that highlights a few core components, the quality of your ingredients truly shines through. Opt for a high-quality Italian sausage, use flavorful fire-roasted diced tomatoes for a smoky depth, and a premium cheese blend like Sargento’s Italian Cheese for the best results.
- Season to Perfection: Always taste the sauce before you combine it with the pasta and cheese. Adjust the salt, pepper, and herbs as needed. The Port wine contributes a lovely sweetness and depth, but if you prefer, dry red wine or beef broth can be used as alternatives.
- Ensure Even Cheese Distribution: When you sprinkle the remaining cheese over the casserole, make sure it’s spread evenly across the surface. This guarantees a beautiful, uniformly golden, and bubbling crust that’s irresistible.
- Allow for Resting Time: Once out of the oven, resist the urge to immediately dive in. Letting the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes allows the sauce to settle and thicken slightly, making it much easier to scoop and serve neatly.
Delicious Variations and Customizations
This baked rotini recipe is incredibly adaptable, inviting you to experiment and make it uniquely yours. Here are some fantastic ideas for variations:
- Boost the Heat: If you enjoy a spicy kick, substitute sweet Italian sausage with hot Italian sausage. Alternatively, stir in a generous pinch (or more!) of red pepper flakes with the herbs to infuse a pleasant warmth throughout the dish.
- Incorporate More Vegetables: Enhance the nutritional value and texture by sautéing diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or chopped zucchini alongside the onion and garlic. For a burst of green, fresh spinach or kale can be wilted into the sauce during the simmering stage.
- Experiment with Pasta Shapes: While rotini is excellent for capturing the rich sauce, feel free to use other medium-sized pasta shapes. Penne, ziti, cavatappi, or even campanelle would all work wonderfully in this casserole.
- Cheese Exploration: Don’t limit yourself to one cheese blend. Try adding fresh mozzarella for an extra gooey texture, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a sharper, saltier finish, or even a smoked provolone for a distinct flavor.
- Herb Substitutions: If marjoram or rosemary aren’t readily available, a good quality Italian seasoning blend can be a convenient substitute. For a fresh, vibrant aroma, stir in freshly chopped parsley or oregano just before serving.
- Creamy Indulgence: For an even richer and creamier casserole, stir in a tablespoon or two of cream cheese, a splash of heavy cream, or a bit of mascarpone into the sauce before combining with the pasta.
What to Serve with Baked Rotini
This hearty Italian sausage and pasta casserole is substantial enough to be a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a few simple, complementary sides:
- Garlic Bread or Crusty Ciabatta: The ultimate companion for any pasta dish, perfect for soaking up every last drop of the savory sauce.
- Fresh Green Salad: A light, crisp mixed green salad with a simple vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the baked pasta.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Sides like steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or broccoli florets offer additional nutrients and a pleasant texture without overpowering the main dish.
- Italian Red Wine: A medium-bodied Italian red wine, such as a Chianti, Montepulciano, or even a robust Merlot, would complement the rich flavors of the sausage and tomato sauce wonderfully.
Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage (about 4-5 links)
- 1 cup large yellow onion coarsely chopped (about 1 medium onion)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup minced Kalamata olives (pitted)
- 14 oz can Fire Roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- ¼ cup Port wine (or dry red wine/beef broth)
- 8 oz. rotini pasta cooked al dente and drained
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups Sargento® Fancy Shredded 6 Cheese Italian Cheese divided (8 oz. total)
Instructions
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Prepare the Sausage and Aromatics: Begin by carefully cutting the sweet Italian sausage links into ½-inch pieces. After cutting, pull off and discard the casings. In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the sausage pieces over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through. Once browned, carefully drain any excess drippings from the skillet. Add the coarsely chopped onion, minced garlic, and minced Kalamata olives to the skillet. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring until the onion is softened and translucent, the garlic is fragrant, and the vegetables are crisp-tender.
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Build the Sauce: To the skillet with the sausage and vegetables, add the undrained can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes, the tomato paste, and the Port wine (or your chosen substitute like dry red wine or beef broth). Stir all ingredients well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate all the delicious flavor. Stir in the dried basil, marjoram, and rosemary, along with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Combine and Bake (First Stage): Once the sauce has simmered, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the pre-cooked and drained rotini pasta and 1 cup of the Sargento® Fancy Shredded 6 Cheese Italian Cheese until everything is thoroughly coated. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can continue directly to the next step. Otherwise, transfer the entire mixture to a 13×9-inch baking dish. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
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Finish with Cheese and Serve: After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil from the baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Sargento® Italian Cheese over the top of the casserole. Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and continue to bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown. Once out of the oven, let the Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief resting period allows the flavors to settle and makes for easier portioning. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, flavorful Italian-inspired dish!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage
- Can I use a different type of pasta?
- Absolutely! While rotini is fantastic for holding the sauce within its spirals, you can easily substitute other medium-sized pasta shapes. Good alternatives include penne, ziti, cavatappi, or even campanelle. Just be sure to cook your chosen pasta al dente before adding it to the casserole mixture.
- Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
- Yes, this is a great dish for advance preparation! You can assemble the entire casserole up to the point of baking (before adding the final layer of cheese). Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time to ensure it heats through evenly, then uncover, add the remaining cheese, and bake until melted and bubbly.
- Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
- Indeed it is! Once the casserole is fully baked, let it cool completely to room temperature. You can freeze individual portions in airtight containers or freeze the entire casserole (if using a freezer-safe dish) tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then heavy-duty aluminum foil. It will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, adding a fresh sprinkle of cheese if desired for an extra cheesy topping.
- What if I don’t have Port wine?
- While Port wine adds a unique depth and subtle sweetness to the sauce, you have excellent alternatives. A dry red wine, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Chianti, would be a good substitute for a similar rich flavor profile. If you prefer to avoid alcohol entirely, beef broth or even vegetable broth can be used, though the final flavor will be slightly less complex but still delicious.
- How can I make this casserole spicier?
- If you love a little heat, there are a couple of ways to kick up the spice. The simplest is to use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet Italian sausage. You can also add a pinch or two (or more, to taste!) of red pepper flakes to the sauce when you introduce the dried herbs. This will infuse a pleasant warmth throughout the dish.
- Can I add other vegetables to the casserole?
- Absolutely! This casserole is incredibly versatile and welcomes additional vegetables. You can sauté diced bell peppers (any color), sliced mushrooms, or chopped zucchini along with the onion and garlic in the first step. For a boost of greens, fresh spinach or kale can be stirred into the sauce during the simmering stage; they will wilt down beautifully into the dish.
This Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage and Olives truly delivers on flavor, comfort, and ease. It’s a wonderful example of how thoughtful culinary adjustments can elevate a good recipe into an unforgettable family favorite. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this dish for your next meal. You’ll savor the rich, savory tastes and appreciate the convenience of a delicious one-dish baked wonder that brings joy to every bite.
Sargento did compensate me for the time I dedicated to making this recipe and putting this post together for you, however my opinions on flavor and preparation are 100% mine. This endorsement allows me to continue bringing delicious recipes and creative content to your kitchen.
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