Cheesy Baked Pasta and a Sneak Peek!
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8
 
Ingredients
  • 12 oz Rigatoni or other pasta on hand
  • 24 oz Rinaldi's Tomato Basil Sauce
  • 4 oz Mushrooms, sliced (can or fresh)
  • ½ lg Green Pepper, chopped
  • 2-4 Green Onions, chopped (divided)
  • 1 lb lean Ground Beef or Sausage
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tbs fresh Parsley or 1 Tbs dried
  • 4 oz Ricotta Cheese
  • 8 oz Cottage Cheese
  • 4 oz Monterey Jack Cheese, grated
  • 8 oz Mozzarella Cheese, deli sliced
  • Pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cook Rigatoni in salted water as directed, until al dente, drain reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Meanwhile, brown Ground Beef in pan with 1 Tbs olive oil, green peppers, mushrooms and all of ½ the green onions. Stir in Sauce and drained Pasta. If it seems dry add pasta water a little at a time to taste.
  3. In bowl combine Ricotta, Cottage Cheese, Egg, Parsley, remaining Green Onions, and Monterey Jack cheese, Pepper to taste.
  4. Spray 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray (or butter).
  5. Put a layer of half the Pasta & Sauce mixture over bottom to cover.
  6. Add cheese mixture and carefully spread over pasta.
  7. Spread remaining Pasta & Sauce mixture over cheese layer.
  8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees until bubbly and hot throughout.
  9. Remove aluminum foil and top with Mozzarella slices, broil for 3 minutes until cheese just starts to bubble and brown.
  10. Pass Parmesan Cheese with squares of pasta & enjoy! Serves 6-8 large appetites :)
Recipe by A Hen's Nest - NW PA Single Woman Mom Blog at https://ahensnest.com/2009/07/cheesy-baked-pasta-and-a-sneak-peek.html