Italian Rigatoni Bake

         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)

c)

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!