Here you go, a hearty and filling comfort food for the cold months coming. It has meat, rigatoni pasta, cheese and tomatoes with pasta sauce. Rigatoni is such a tasty Italian dish it is hard to not make it every single day.
I absolutely love the flavor in the dish. You can add vegetables to this if you would like.
I love zucchini, so I add that in. Mushrooms, green peppers and shredded carrots will not only up the flavor level, but also add in some great coloring. I love pretty foods.
This is a great food that freezes well inside freezer bakes for up to 3 months. It is super simple to make this casserole and does not take much time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this ahead?
This can definitely be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Just be sure to have the ground beef cooked thoroughly.
Can I use a different type of meat?
You can! Try this dish with venison, elk or sirloin. It takes it up a few notches in the taste department.
Can I make this a dairy free dish?
Take out the cheese completely or swap it for dairy free cheese.
Can I use gluten free Rigatoni, will it change the taste?
If you are on a gluten free meal plan, then you know the taste change is minimal. Go ahead and use the gluten free Rigatoni.
What do you need to make Italian Rigatoni Bake
1 pound Ground Italian Sausage
1 pound Ground Beef
1- 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
1-28 ounce can of petite diced tomatoes with the juice
1 tbsp garlic minced
1 large onion chopped
16 ounces Rigatoni Pasta
15 ounces Ricotta cheese
3 tsp Italian seasoning
1 pinch of Red pepper flakes
1 egg
¼ cup parmesan cheese
12 ounces Mozzarella Cheese
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Dried basil
Salt and Pepper to taste
How to make Italian Rigatoni Bake
FIRST STEP:
Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat
Add the Olive oil and the onions
SECOND STEP:
Cook until the onions begin to brown
Add the sausage and the ground beef
THIRD STEP:
Cook thoroughly
Remove the meat from the pan and set to the side
FOURTH STEP:
Add the garlic to the pan, the diced tomatoes with the juice and the tomato sauce, Stir well
Add the salt and pepper and the italian seasoning, once combined, preserve one cup of the sauce mix, let it cool
FIFTH STEP:
With the remaining sauce, cover and simmer for 20 minutes
Cook the pasta according to the package directions
SIXTH STEP:
In a medium size bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with an egg, the mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning and the parmesan cheese
a)
b)
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When the pasta is Al Dente, drain and mix with the cheese mixture
Pour in the remaining sauce and combine well
SEVENTH STEP:
Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish
Pour in half of the pasta mix
Cover the pasta with meat
EIGHTH STEP:
Cover the meat with Cheeses
Repeat the layers once again
NINETH STEP:
Bake at 350* for 45 minutes
Let sit for 5 minutes
Serve and enjoy!
Italian Rigatoni Bake
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Italian Sausage
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1- 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
- 1-28 ounce can of petite diced tomatoes with the juice
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 16 ounces Rigatoni Pasta
- 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
- 3 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch of Red pepper flakes
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Dried basil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Notes
FIRST STEP:
Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat
Add the Olive oil and the onions
SECOND STEP:
Cook until the onions begin to brown
Add the sausage and the ground beef
THIRD STEP:
Cook thoroughly
Remove the meat from the pan and set to the side
FOURTH STEP:
Add the garlic to the pan, the diced tomatoes with the juice and the tomato sauce, Stir well
Add the salt and pepper and the italian seasoning, once combined, preserve one cup of the sauce mix, let it cool
FIFTH STEP:
With the remaining sauce, cover and simmer for 20 minutes
Cook the pasta according to the package directions
SIXTH STEP:
In a medium size bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with an egg, the mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning and the parmesan cheese
When the pasta is Al Dente, drain and mix with the cheese mixture
Pour in the remaining sauce and combine well
SEVENTH STEP:
Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish
Pour in half of the pasta mix
Cover the pasta with meat
EIGHTH STEP:
Cover the meat with Cheeses
Repeat the layers once again
NINETH STEP:
Bake at 350* for 45 minutes
Let sit for 5 minutes
Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 8gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 44mgCarbohydrates: 140gSugar: 30gProtein: 10g
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