Baked pasta dishes are a cornerstone of comfort food, and when you combine that with the trusted recipes of the Pioneer Woman, you know you’re in for a treat. While Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman herself, is famous for her delicious Baked Ziti, let’s explore a delightful twist on this classic: Pioneer Woman Baked Rigatoni. This hearty, cheesy, and flavorful dish is perfect for family dinners and gatherings, promising to be a crowd-pleaser every time.
Rigatoni, with its sturdy tubes and ridges, is an excellent choice for baked pasta. It holds sauce beautifully and provides a satisfying bite in every forkful. This recipe captures the essence of Italian-American comfort food, similar to lasagna but without the fuss of layering flat noodles. Imagine a casserole brimming with a rich tomato sauce, savory Italian sausage, and layers of melted, gooey cheese. This is what Pioneer Woman Baked Rigatoni brings to your table.
Pioneer Woman's Baked Rigatoni Ingredients
If you’re already a fan of the Pioneer Woman, you know Ree Drummond’s recipes are all about approachable, delicious food made with real ingredients. For those unfamiliar, Ree Drummond is a celebrated blogger and Food Network star known for her down-to-earth style and mouthwatering ranch recipes. Her recipes are designed for home cooks, emphasizing flavor and ease of preparation. This baked rigatoni recipe is no exception, embodying her signature style of comforting, family-friendly meals.
Crafting Your Pioneer Woman Baked Rigatoni
While traditionally “ziti al forno” uses ziti pasta, rigatoni works wonderfully and is often more readily available. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor achieved with straightforward ingredients. For the sauce, while homemade is always wonderful, using a quality jarred sauce can significantly cut down on prep time without sacrificing taste. Pioneer Woman offers her own line of Italian pasta sauces, including a Rustic Bolognese, which would be an excellent choice for this recipe, adding a robust and homemade-like flavor.
This Pioneer Woman Baked Rigatoni recipe is truly a meat lover’s delight. It features a generous combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, creating a deeply savory base for the dish. The recipe is designed to use ground Italian sausage for convenience, but if you only have link sausage, simply remove the casings and brown the meat as you would ground sausage. The combination of meats, blended with a rich tomato sauce and a blend of cheeses, creates an irresistible aroma and taste that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Cheese
Pioneer Woman Baked Rigatoni Recipe
A hearty and flavorful Italian-American casserole featuring rigatoni pasta, a rich meat sauce, and a generous blanket of melted cheese.
Print Recipe (Note: Original print link used as no specific print link for rigatoni was provided)
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
- 1 lb Rigatoni Pasta, uncooked
- 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Chopped Onion
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 lb Ground Italian Sausage
- 1 Jar (around 24-25 oz) Pioneer Woman Pasta Sauce (Rustic Bolognese recommended)
- 1 Egg
- 1 (15 oz) container Ricotta Cheese
- 1 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain well and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic; cook for 3-5 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.
- Crumble ground Italian sausage and ground beef into the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Cook until all meats are evenly browned, breaking up any clumps and stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and drain off any excess grease.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the egg, ricotta cheese, and shredded Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and drained rigatoni pasta, pasta sauce, and the meat mixture. Gently stir to combine. Add the ricotta cheese mixture and lightly mix everything together.
- Pour the pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Spread evenly and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the mozzarella cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
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Pioneer Woman Rustic Bolognese Sauce Jar
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