This Rigatoni Pie Takes Dinner To The Next Level

When we make pasta for dinner, it is always a good occasion. After all, it is the pasta and sauce that really puts the flavors together and makes something fantastic for the table. Of course, a pasta dinner is also economical as well so it is the best of every world involved. Although you may have tried pasta in many different forms, this recipe is about to change everything.

Rigatoni is a rather enjoyable type of pasta and we may have had it in numerous forms. When you make this rigatoni pie, however, you will find that it makes the perfect dinner and it is something that will disappear from the table very quickly. If you have been craving Italian food, this is the dish for you. Just make sure that you play some Frank Sinatra songs while you are eating it to make it even more authentic.

Ingredients

1 pound Rigatoni
1 jar of your favourite pasta sauce (approximately 2.5 cups, give or take. If it’s slightly more or less, just use it all)
½ cup of water
2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound ground beef or ground pork
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 container cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
1 large egg
1-1/2 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Cook the Rigatoni in a large pot of salted, boiling water. Cook it about 1 minute less than the package directions so it is still hard enough to stand up. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.

2. Toss pasta with 1 Tablespoon of oil to prevent it from sticking. Then add the Parmesan cheese and toss until the cheese is evenly distributed. Set aside.

3. In a large frying pan, brown the ground beef in 1 Tablespoon of oil. Drain away the fat once it’s cooked.

4. Add the jar of pasta sauce and water and bring to a boil.

5. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for at least 20 minutes. The longer you simmer the better. Just make sure you add more water if it all boils off.

6. Remove from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes.

7. Mix together the container of cottage cheese and the egg. Set aside.

8. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. Grease a 9 inch springform pan.

10. Take the cooked rigatoni and stand each piece up on its end in the pan. Continue until the whole pan is tightly packed.

11. Pour the cottage cheese mixture over the rigatoni and spread evenly over all the noodles.

12. Pour the meat mixture over top and spread evenly over the noodles. Use your finger to poke the meat and cheese mixture down into the noodles. The more patience you have with this step, the better it will be.

13. Bake for 15 minutes at 400F.

14. Remove from the oven and top with the mozzarella cheese.

15. Bake for another 15 minutes at 400F.

16. Let stand for 10 minutes then run a knife around the edge of the pan to help remove the springform pan.