Pasta casserole with herbs, sausage, and artichokes

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 can (800 g) of canned plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
• 1 can (400g) of canned plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
• 4 large sprigs of fresh basil
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup chopped fresh parsley + extra for serving
• 450 g dry rigatoni pasta
• 280 g frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
• 350 g raw hot Italian sausage, casings removed
• 3 cups grated fontina cheese
• 1 tbsp. grated parmesan

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 230°C. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and add salt.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil sprigs, and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens, 15-20 minutes. Remove the basil sprigs, stir in the chopped basil and parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. While the sauce is simmering, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. Add the artichokes to the skillet and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Transfer the artichokes to the bowl with the sausage.
4. Cook the rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and add the pasta to a bowl.
5. Add the tomato sauce, half the fontina, and half the Parmesan to the bowl and mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining fontina and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes and serve.