Name: Easy Italian 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

Nothing beats the cozy, comforting layers of pasta, cheese, and sausage bubbling fresh from the oven. This Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe brings all those classic lasagna flavors together in a way that’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week.

A close-up image of a black rectangular pan filled with baked rigatoni pasta covered in melted, bubbly golden-brown cheese on top. The rigatoni pasta is visible underneath the cheese layer, with a warm orange-red sauce mixed with green herbs peeking through. The dish has a thick, textured top layer of cheese with some browned spots, giving it a crispy look. In the upper left corner, a portion of pasta is served on a white plate, showing the same layers of pasta and melted cheese. 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 Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it delivers all the rich, comforting flavors of traditional lasagna without wrestling with pages of instructions or layering noodles endlessly. It’s approachable, homey, and comes together quickly—trust me, it’s become a go-to in my kitchen on busy weeknights.

Simple Prep: No need to boil and layer delicate lasagna sheets—rigatoni pasta makes assembly a breeze.
Flavorful Sauce: Homemade sausage sauce with fragrant garlic and herbs fills every bite with hearty goodness.
Cheesy Layers: The ricotta mixture dotted around adds creamy pockets of cheesy deliciousness throughout the casserole.
Family Favorite: Even picky eaters love this, making it perfect for sharing and leftovers.

This close-up image shows a baked pasta dish in a dark baking pan on a white marbled surface. The top layer is golden melted cheese with browned spots and patches of sauce peeking through. Underneath is a thick layer of tubular pasta coated with red tomato sauce, mixed with bits of herbs and creamy white cheese. A large metal spoon scoops a portion from one corner, revealing the layered textures of pasta, sauce, and cheese layered throughout the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe plays its role perfectly. The rigatoni holds onto the sauce wonderfully, the Italian sausage brings rich savoriness, and the cheese trio layers in creamy, melty texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters.

Flat lay of uncooked rigatoni pasta, a raw Italian sausage link, a diced fresh yellow onion, three peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl of Italian seasoning mix, a small white bowl of freshly ground black pepper, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl filled with vibrant red pasta sauce, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of smooth ricotta cheese, a small white bowl of chopped fresh parsley, a small white bowl of grated Parmesan cheese, and a simple pile of shredded mozzarella cheese, all arranged symmetrically 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 shape catch the sauce and cheese, making every forkful packed with flavor.
Italian Sausage: Provides a bold, spiced base for the sauce—use sweet or spicy depending on your mood.
Onion & Garlic: Classic aromatics that build depth and bring out the savory notes in the sausage.
Italian Seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Pasta Sauce: Use your favorite jarred marinara or homemade sauce for convenience and flavor.
Ricotta Cheese: Adds creamy texture and mild flavor, balancing the sausage’s spice.
Eggs: Help bind the ricotta mixture so it holds little pockets of gooey cheese in the casserole.
Fresh Parsley: Brightens the ricotta mix with a fresh, herbal note.
Parmesan Cheese: Gives a sharp, nutty kick and helps with that irresistible golden crust.
Mozzarella Cheese: The meltiest, most stringy cheese that finishes off this dish perfectly.

📝

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

One of the things I love most about this Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe is how adaptable it is. I like to tweak it depending on what I have in my fridge or what my family’s craving that week. You really can’t go wrong here!

Variation: Sometimes I swap the Italian sausage for ground turkey or even crumbled mushrooms to lighten it up while keeping plenty of texture and flavor. It’s still just as delicious.
Extra Veggies: I often add chopped spinach or bell peppers into the sauce for a veggie boost without messing with the classic taste.
Cheese Swap: If you don’t have ricotta, cottage cheese works in a pinch, though ricotta gives the creamiest texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prepare pasta and baking dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish so the casserole doesn’t stick. Then, cook the rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente—usually a minute or two less than the package says. Drain and set aside to cool slightly while you make the sauce. Trust me, this little timing trick helps your pasta hold up perfectly without turning mushy during baking.

Step 2: Make the meat sauce

In a large saucepan, brown the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces with your spatula. Once the sausage is nicely browned, add diced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt. Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes until the onion softens and fragrances fill your kitchen (this is the moment I know dinner’s going to be awesome!). Pour in the jarred pasta sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 3: Whip up the ricotta mixture

In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and then stir in ricotta cheese, kosher salt, chopped parsley, Parmesan, and one cup of shredded mozzarella. This mixture is going to add those dreamy cheesy pockets inside the casserole. Don't worry if it looks a little loose—that's perfect!

Step 4: Assemble and bake

Combine the cooked pasta with your warm sausage sauce, stirring gently to coat all the noodles. Transfer this mix to the prepared baking dish. Now here’s a little trick I picked up: instead of trying to spread the ricotta mixture evenly (which can be tricky), dollop it in about six mounds all over the pasta. Then, gently stir a bit to swirl those pockets around—no need for perfection! Finally, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes until you see the cheese bubbling and melting beautifully.

Top Tip

From making this casserole dozens of times, I’ve gathered a few handy tips that can really help you nail it the first time—and every time after.

Fresh Cheese Makes a Difference: I always grate my own Parmesan and shred mozzarella from blocks rather than using pre-shredded bags. It melts better and tastes so much fresher.
Don’t Overmix the Ricotta: Gently folding in the egg, cheese, and parsley keeps those lovely little pockets of ricotta texture instead of a uniform cream—trust me, it's way tastier.
Dollop, Don’t Spread: Trying to smooth the ricotta layer perfectly just wastes time and causes a mess—dot it here and there and swirl gently; it works out beautifully once baked.
Broil for a Golden Finish: If you want that bubbly cheese on top to get a gorgeous golden-brown crust, switch your oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes—watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!

How to Serve Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe

Italian sausage lasagna - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to finish my lasagna casserole with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil to brighten all those rich flavors. A dusting of extra Parmesan at the table is always a welcome touch too. If you like a little heat, red pepper flakes make delicious garnishes.

Side Dishes

Pairing this casserole with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli adds freshness to the meal and balances out the richness. Garlic bread or warm crusty bread is my go-to for soaking up every last drop of sauce—extra delicious!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve tried layering this casserole in individual ramekins for lovely personal portions. It’s a charming touch when entertaining friends or serving a cozy date night in. You could even sprinkle on toasted pine nuts or fresh herbs right before serving to elevate the look and flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers are fantastic because this casserole holds up well in the fridge. I store mine in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When it's time to eat, I usually let it come to room temperature before reheating for the best texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe a few times with great success. Just be sure to cool completely before wrapping tightly in aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Reheating in the oven at 350°F works best to keep the cheese melty and pasta tender. Cover loosely with foil to avoid drying out, and heat for about 20 minutes or until warmed through. Microwaving works in a pinch, but you might lose some of the casserole’s beautiful texture that way.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use ground beef instead of Italian sausage?

Absolutely! Ground beef will still be tasty, but Italian sausage offers a unique blend of spices that really elevates the flavor. If you use ground beef, consider adding extra Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper to mimic that punch.

Do I have to use rigatoni for this casserole?

You don’t have to! Any sturdy pasta like penne or ziti will work well. The key is choosing pasta with shapes that hold sauce and cheese so the casserole stays moist and flavorful.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, you can swap Italian sausage for plant-based sausage or sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or crumbled tofu seasoned with Italian herbs. This keeps the dish hearty and flavorful without meat.

How do I prevent the ricotta pockets from sinking to the bottom?

The trick is to dollop the ricotta mixture in several spots on top of the pasta rather than trying to spread it. Then, give the casserole a gentle stir to swirl those pockets lightly. This creates random, delicious pockets of ricotta without sinking to the bottom.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Italian Sausage Lasagna Casserole Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate to me—comforting, satisfying, and totally effortless for such a show-stopping dish. I’m excited for you to try it because I know once you make it, you’ll have a new weeknight favorite in your arsenal. Plus, leftovers that taste just as good make life so much easier! Now, go ahead and make some magic in your kitchen—you really can't go wrong here.