Meat Lovers Pasta Bake
This post is sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This Meat Lovers Pasta Bake is everything you love about a meat lovers pizza, baked into a cheesy pan of rigatoni. Crumbled Italian sausage simmers in a quick sauce made with Red Gold Crushed Tomatoes, garlic and Italian seasoning, then gets tossed with pasta, mozzarella, Parmesan and mini pepperoni.
It is layered like a lasagna, baked until bubbly, and finished with a drizzle of hot honey that makes every bite sweet, salty and a little spicy. It is an easy dinner that feeds a crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Meat Lovers Pasta Bake
- Pizza meets pasta: sausage, pepperoni and melty mozzarella in every bite.
- Hot honey finish: sweet heat that takes it over the top.
- Quick sauce: Red Gold Crushed Tomatoes simmer into a rich sauce in just 5 minutes.
- Feeds a crowd: one 9×13 pan is perfect for family dinners and game days.
Meat Lovers Pasta Bake Ingredients
Rigatoni
Cook it 2 minutes less than the package says so it finishes perfectly in the oven.
Italian Sausage and Mini Pepperoni
The meat lovers part. Mini pepperoni crisps up beautifully on top.
Red Gold Crushed Tomatoes
Thick and rich, they make a quick sauce that tastes like it simmered all day.
Onion, Garlic and Seasonings
Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, kosher salt and black pepper build the flavor.
Mozzarella and Parmesan
Divided between the pasta and the layers for cheese in every bite.
Hot Honey and Parsley
A sweet, spicy drizzle and a fresh finish.
Swap It: Use turkey sausage and turkey pepperoni for a lighter bake, or gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
How to Make Meat Lovers Pasta Bake
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cook the rigatoni in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package directions, then drain.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage
Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles, until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Cook the onion 3 to 4 minutes, add the garlic for 30 seconds, then stir in the crushed tomatoes and seasonings. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Toss
Toss the meat sauce with the pasta, then stir in half the mozzarella, half the pepperoni and half the Parmesan.
Step 5: Layer
Spread half the pasta in a greased 9×13-inch dish and sprinkle with cheese and pepperoni. Add the rest of the pasta and finish with the remaining mozzarella, pepperoni and Parmesan.
Step 6: Bake and Drizzle
Bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly. Drizzle with hot honey, garnish with parsley and serve with extra hot honey.
Carly’s Expert Tips
- Undercook the pasta. It keeps cooking in the oven and stays perfectly tender.
- Drain the sausage. Removing extra grease keeps the bake from getting oily.
- Layer it like a lasagna. Cheese in the middle means melty pockets throughout.
- Hot honey at the end. Drizzle after baking so it stays glossy and doesn’t burn.
Make It Your Own
- Make it supreme: Add sliced bell peppers, mushrooms and black olives to the sauce.
- Add ricotta: Dollop ricotta between the layers for an extra creamy, lasagna-style bake.
- Swap the pasta: Penne, ziti or cavatappi all work in place of rigatoni.
- More meat: Stir in crumbled bacon or diced ham with the sausage.
Make-Ahead and Meal Prep: Assemble the bake up to a day ahead, cover tightly and refrigerate. Bake straight from the fridge, adding about 10 minutes, then drizzle with hot honey before serving.
What to Serve With Meat Lovers Pasta Bake
Serve with garlic bread, a crisp Caesar or Italian chopped salad, or roasted broccoli to balance all that cheesy goodness.
Storing and Reheating
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked or unbaked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat: Warm covered at 350°F until hot, or microwave individual portions.
What People Ask About Meat Lovers Pasta Bake
Can I make Meat Lovers Pasta Bake ahead?
Yes. Assemble it up to a day ahead and bake when ready.
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes. Penne, ziti or cavatappi all work.
Is it spicy?
Only slightly. Skip the red pepper flakes for a milder bake.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. It freezes well for up to 3 months.
Meat Lovers Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in both cans of Red Gold Crushed Tomatoes. Add the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper. Stir to combine and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the meat sauce to the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated. Stir in half the mozzarella, half the pepperoni and half the Parmesan until combined.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with some of the remaining mozzarella, pepperoni and Parmesan. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then finish with the rest of the mozzarella, pepperoni and Parmesan. Layer it like a lasagna!
- Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Drizzle with hot honey, garnish with fresh parsley and serve with extra hot honey on the side.
