Rigatoni stands upright, filled with creamy cheese and tomato, baked golden for a showstopping, savory main dish.
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound rigatoni
→ Cheese Filling
02 - 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
03 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
04 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
13 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - ½ teaspoon dried basil
16 - ½ teaspoon sugar
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ To Assemble
18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, for greasing and brushing
19 - Extra chopped parsley, for garnish
20 - Additional Parmesan cheese, for garnish
# Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with olive oil and line the base with parchment paper.
02 - Boil rigatoni in a large pot of salted water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - Combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until smooth.
05 - Stand rigatoni upright, tightly packed, in the prepared pan. Using a piping bag or small spoon, fill each tube with the ricotta mixture.
06 - Pour tomato sauce evenly over the filled pasta, allowing it to seep between noodles. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top.
07 - Cover pan loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbling.
08 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before releasing the pan. Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan. Slice and serve.
