Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Drizzle olive oil into a 2 ½ or 3-quart baking dish to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook Sausage and Onions

• Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add sausage and fennel seeds, breaking up the sausage as it cooks. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add chopped onion and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes until translucent.

Step 3: Add Peppers and Sauce

• Stir chopped roasted red bell peppers and marinara sauce into the sausage mixture.
• Simmer for 3–5 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 4: Cook the Rigatoni

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook rigatoni for 5 minutes (slightly undercooked). Drain and mix with the sausage and sauce mixture.

Step 5: Prepare Cheese Mixture

• In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Mix until smooth.

Step 6: Assemble the Dish

1. Spread half the pasta and sauce mixture in the prepared baking dish.
2. Dollop half the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
3. Layer 3–4 slices of provolone cheese on top.
4. Repeat with remaining pasta, ricotta, and provolone.

Step 7: Bake

• Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
• Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving.