Stuffed Baked Rigatoni Recipe

Stuffed Baked Rigatoni Recipe

Ingredients:

• Rigatoni pasta: 1 lb (500g)
• Ground beef or Italian sausage: 1 lb (500g)
• Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
• Marinara sauce: 2 cups
• Ricotta cheese: 1 cup
• Mozzarella cheese: 1 cup, shredded
• Parmesan cheese: ½ cup, grated
• Egg: 1
• Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp, chopped
• Salt and pepper: To taste
• Olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Red pepper flakes (optional): ¼ tsp

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta:
   • Boil the rigatoni in salted water until slightly undercooked (al dente). Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the meat filling:
   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
   • Add the garlic and sauté for a minute.
   • Stir in the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
   • Mix in 1 cup of marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. Mix the cheese filling:
   • In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, ½ cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and half the chopped parsley. Mix well.
4. Stuff the pasta:
   • Use a small spoon or piping bag to stuff each rigatoni with the cheese filling.
5. Assemble the dish:
   • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
   • Arrange the stuffed rigatoni in a single layer.
   • Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the pasta.
   • Top with the meat mixture and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
6. Bake:
   • Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
   • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Garnish and serve:
   • Sprinkle the remaining parsley over the baked pasta and serve warm.