Cheesy Rigatoni Bake Recipes

CHEESY SAUSAGE RIGATONI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions; drain and set aside to cool.
• Saute the onions in the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Crumble in the sausage, add the crushed red pepper and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the marinara sauce, mix everything together and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• To assemble, add about 2 spoonfuls of the sauce--just enough to coat the bottom--to a baking dish. Then layer half of the cooled noodles, half of the mozzarella cubes and half of the remaining sauce. Repeat the process: layer the remaining noodles, mozzarella and sauce, then top with the Parmesan. Cover and put in the fridge or freezer until ready to cook.
• When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cook the rigatoni until heated through and bubbling, 25 minutes straight from the fridge, or 2 hours straight from the freezer. Garnish with minced parsley before serving.

CHEESY RIGATONI PEPPER BAKE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions; drain and set aside to cool.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook until the onions are golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste until everything is mixed together. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Layer in half of the cooked noodles, half of the cubed mozzarella, 3 tablespoons Parmesan and half of the sweet peppers. Top with half of the remaining sauce. Repeat the process with the remaining noodles and mozzarella, 3 tablespoons Parmesan and the remaining peppers and sauce. Top with the remaining 3 tablespoons Parmesan. (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate.)
• Cover and bake until the sauce is bubbling and the peppers are cooked through, about 40 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. Serve with Peppy Salad.
• Add the lettuce, pepperoncini, tomatoes, onion and mini pepper to a bowl. Drizzle over the olive oil and lemon, then sprinkle over some salt and pepper and toss.

AWESOME CHEESY RIGATONI BAKE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350°F.
• Grease a 13 x9-inch casserole dish.
• Cook the rigatoni until firm-tender (do not overcook as it will cook more when baked) toss with 2 tbsp oil to prevent drying out; set aside.
• Cook beef with onions, garlic, seasoned salt and pepper until beef is done and no longer pink; drain off fat.
• Stir in pasta sauce; simmer 20 minutes.
• In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and eggs.
• On the bottom of the casserole dish spread 1-1/2 cups meat sauce.
• Top with half each, the cooked rigatoni, ricotta cheese mixture and meat sauce.
• Repeat layer ending with meat sauce.
• Top with remaining cheese.
• Bake uncovered until hot and bubbly, about 30-35 minutes.
• Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
• Note: canned sliced mushrooms may be added to meat sauce if desired.

CHEESY RIGATONI BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; return to pot. Cool slightly., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour and salt until smooth; gradually whisk in milk and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat., Add eggs to pasta, tossing to coat. Divide mixture between two greased 8-in. square baking dishes. Layer each dish with one can tomato sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and half of the white sauce; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 160°, 30-35 minutes. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked casseroles. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 375°. Cover casserole with foil; bake 40 minutes. Uncover; bake until a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°, 7-10 minutes.

CHEESY EGGPLANT AND RIGATONI BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions but keep it slightly more al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking water, then drain and rinse pasta under cold water, and transfer to a large bowl while you cook the eggplant.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, oven-proof skillet over medium. Add half the eggplant, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until golden brown on all sides, 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the rigatoni. Repeat with 2 tablespoons olive oil and remaining eggplant and transfer to the bowl.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet over medium. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in red-pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes and their juices, crushing the tomatoes with your hands as you add them. Cook until the tomatoes are very soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the reserved pasta cooking water, adding up to 1 1/2 cups as needed to create a silky sauce.
• If the skillet is large enough, add the rigatoni and eggplant mixture, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup basil and toss to coat. Otherwise, add the tomato sauce, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup basil to the large bowl with the rigatoni and eggplant, toss to coat and then return to the skillet or transfer to a greased baking dish.
• Top with remaining 3 cups mozzarella and bake until the sauce is bubbling on the sides and the cheese is melted, about 25 minutes. Top with grated ricotta salata and torn fresh basil to serve.