Italian Rigatoni Bake Recipe

ingredients:

1 28oz. can petite diced tomatoes with juice

1 15oz. tub whole mile ricotta cheese

12 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

1 1b. ground Italian "mild" sausage

1/4 C. grated parmesan cheese

1 16 oz. box rigatoni pasta

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

pinch of salt and pepper

pinch red pepper flakes

1 large onion, chopped

3 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 T. minced garlic

1 lb. ground beef

2 T. olive oil

dried basil

1 egg

Directions:

In a large skillet, over med. high heat add the olive oil and onions and sauté till tender (about 5 minutes), add in the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain the grease, leaving a little in the pan for moisture. Add in the garlic, canned tomatoes with juice and the tomato sauce. Stir well, add in 2 tsp. Italian seasoning, pinch of salt and pepper and red pepper flakes. Once combined, remove 1 C. to a bowl and set aside to cool. Cover remaining sauce and simmer on low for 20 minutes. While the meat sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta with 1 T. of salt till tender. In another bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 beaten egg, 1 C. of mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp. italian seasoning and the parmesan cheese. When pasta is done, drain and add to the ricotta mixture stir to combine and then add the cooled sauce to the pasta and combine. In a 10x13 deep sided dish, lightly grease with cooking spray. Layer 1/2 of the noodle mixture in the bottom, top with 1/2 of the meat mixture then 1/2 of the cheese. Repeat for the final layer and sprinkle with dried basil on top of the cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until cheese is browning and casserole is bubbly.

recipe from Jane't page