Meatball Rigatoni
A baked rigatoni casserole layered with ricotta, meatballs, spaghetti sauce and Alfredo, topped with grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella and baked until bubbly.
Equipment
- 6-quart saucepot
- Mixing bowls
- 9x13 inch Baking Dish
- Rotary Cheese Grater
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12- ozrigatoni pasta
- 1 cupricotta
- 1 26-ozbag 1/2-oz frozen meatballs
- 1/4 cupgrated parmesan cheese
- 1 26-ozjar spaghetti sauce
- 1 15-ozjar Alfredo sauce
- 2 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Cook 12-oz rigatoni pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the drained rigatoni and 1 cup ricotta; stir until evenly mixed.
- Add the 1 (26-oz) bag ½-oz frozen meatballs and the 1 (26-oz) jar spaghetti sauce to the pasta-ricotta mixture; stir to combine.
- Pour the pasta and meatball mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch pan and spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese evenly over the mixture.
- Spoon the 1 (15-oz) jar Alfredo sauce over the top, spreading it evenly.
- Top with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is starting to brown and the meatballs are heated through.
- Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
I used frozen meatballs in this recipe. You can make your own if you so desire. I wanted this to be a super quick and easy recipe, so I used frozen meatballs.I use ground beef meatballs. Can substitute turkey or chicken meatballs.
I use ground beef meatballs. Can substitute turkey or chicken meatballs.
Here is our recipe for Homemade Meatballs:https://www.plainchicken.com/pioneer-womans-bbq-meatballs/(Double the recipe and omit the sauce)Substitute ground turkey for lower calories.
Substitute ground turkey for lower calories.
Our favorite store-bought marinara sauce is Rao’s. I also love Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Marinara (green label),Carbone, and La Famiglia DelGrosso.
Variations/Additions:onionsbell peppersdiced tomatoesmushroomsbaby spinachbroccoli
onions
bell peppers
diced tomatoes
mushrooms
baby spinach
broccoli
Add your favoriteherbs andseasonings to the casserole.red pepper flakesoreganoItalian seasoningfresh garlic cloves
red pepper flakes
oregano
Italian seasoning
fresh garlic cloves
Can I make Meatball Rigatoni in advance? Yes! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Can I freeze Meatball Rigatoni? Yes! Assemble the casserole and cover the pan with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to four months.When ready to bake, thaw and bake as directed.
When ready to bake, thaw and bake as directed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Reheat in the microwave.
Reheat in the microwave.
I use ground beef meatballs. Can substitute turkey or chicken meatballs.
Here is our recipe for Homemade Meatballs:https://www.plainchicken.com/pioneer-womans-bbq-meatballs/(Double the recipe and omit the sauce)Substitute ground turkey for lower calories.
Substitute ground turkey for lower calories.
Our favorite store-bought marinara sauce is Rao’s. I also love Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Marinara (green label),Carbone, and La Famiglia DelGrosso.
Variations/Additions:onionsbell peppersdiced tomatoesmushroomsbaby spinachbroccoli
onions
bell peppers
diced tomatoes
mushrooms
baby spinach
broccoli
Add your favoriteherbs andseasonings to the casserole.red pepper flakesoreganoItalian seasoningfresh garlic cloves
red pepper flakes
oregano
Italian seasoning
fresh garlic cloves
Can I make Meatball Rigatoni in advance? Yes! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Can I freeze Meatball Rigatoni? Yes! Assemble the casserole and cover the pan with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to four months.When ready to bake, thaw and bake as directed.
When ready to bake, thaw and bake as directed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Reheat in the microwave.
Reheat in the microwave.