Italian Rigatoni Pie Recipes

Steps:

• Heat 4 tablespoons of the olive oil with the garlic in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Once it begins to sizzle, cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is soft and just beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Stir in the chile flakes, then add the tomatoes and 1 1/2 cups water. Increase the heat to high and bring the tomato sauce to a boil, crushing the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce cool for 10 minutes then puree in a blender until smooth.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil and bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until it is slightly less than al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Stand the rigatoni on their ends in the prepared pan until it is completely filled (you might not use all the pasta). Place the pan on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch drips. Pour the sauce over the noodles, spreading it with the back of a spoon (You might not use all the sauce.) Sprinkle the pasta with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
• Cover the pan with foil, doming it slightly to avoid touching the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover the pan and continue cooking until the top is golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes more. Let the pasta cool for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the sides of the pan, cut into wedges and serve.

Steps:

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until slightly underdone (I cooked mine for 12 minutes when the box indicated 14 minutes). One pound of pasta should be cooked in 6 quarts of water, make sure you are using a big enough pot so the pasta doesn't stick together. When done, rinse in cold water and drain again. Toss pasta with 1 Tablespoon olive oil to coat. Set aside.
• Heat remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef. Cook, stirring occasionally until browned. Add garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes more.
• Add crushed tomatoes; simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Toss pasta with Parmesan cheese. Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Tightly pack pasta into pan, standing each piece on end. Spread meat sauce on top of pasta.
• Push the meat sauce into the pasta holes filling each one up. Stuffing the meat into the holes is a weirdly satisfying task. Enough said.
• Place in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen and then unmold.
• Cut into wedges and serve with any remaining meat sauce you might have.

Steps:

• For the sauce. In a pan with straight sides on medium heat, add the olive oil and sausage. Crumble the sausage into bits, not boulders, and cook until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon to a plate, leaving the fat in the pan. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook until wilted and darkened, 6 to 8 minutes. Season with pepper and remove from the heat. Add the sausage back to the pan along with the pasta sauce and stir.
• For the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the rigatoni to the boiling water and cook until very al dente. Drain and spread out on a cooling rack to prevent sticking. Let cool slightly.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Add the rigatoni to a bowl and sprinkle with the Parmesan and parsley. Gently toss with your hands.
• Coat the inside bottom and sides of a springform pan with cooking spray. Begin lining the rigatoni on end (vertically) around the edge of the pan, creating a border. Pack the pasta pieces tightly, but not so tight that the holes in the rigatoni close. Toss the remaining rigatoni in the sauce, then pour into the center of the pan. Gently press the mixture to level it off.
• For the topping: Arrange the provolone slices in an overlapping spiral to cover the pasta mixture, then top with the mozzarella. Gently press everything down with your hands. Bake until the top is bubbly and golden around the edges, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before releasing the springform. Serve topped with Parmesan, parsley and basil.

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil with the shallot in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Once it begins to sizzle, cook the shallot, stirring occasionally, until is soft and just beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes, then add the tomatoes with their juices, vodka and 1/2 cup water. Increase the heat to high and bring the sauce to a boil, crushing the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in the cream, bring back to a simmer and cook for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce cool for 10 minutes, then puree in a blender until smooth.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until slightly less than al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
• Stand the rigatoni on their ends in the prepared springform pan until it is completely filled (you might have leftover pasta). Put the pan on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch any drips. Pour the sauce over the pasta, spreading it with the back of a spoon (you might have leftover sauce). Sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Cover the pan with foil, doming it slightly to avoid touching the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover the pan and continue cooking until the top is golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes more. Let the pasta cool for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the sides of the pan, sprinkle with basil, cut into wedges and serve.

Steps:

• For the meat sauce: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat, a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat into smaller pieces, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes and garlic and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens to a brick red, about 1 minute. Add the tomato puree, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a high simmer, then adjust to a low simmer. Cover the pan and cook for 30 minutes. (You can make and cool the sauce the day before. Reheat before using the next day.)
• For the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with 1 tablespoon oil. Cook the pasta until slightly less than al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and toss with the remaining tablespoon oil, then spread out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Spread 1/4 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared pan. Stand the rigatoni on their ends in the pan until it is completely filled.
• For the ricotta filling: Stir together the ricotta, Parmesan, egg, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Transfer the filling to a pastry bag or resealable plastic bag, snip off just enough of the tip to make a small opening and pipe into each rigatoni tube. Pipe small mounds of any leftover ricotta mixture on top of the pasta and spread out into a thin layer. (You can cook and fill the pasta the day before.)
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Put the filled springform pan on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch drips. Pour 2 cups of the meat sauce over the pasta, spreading it with the back of a spoon so that it drips in between the noodles. Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Cover the pan with foil, doming it slightly to avoid touching the cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover the pan and continue cooking until the top is golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes more. Let the pasta cool for 45 minutes (do not skip this part or your noodles will fall apart when serving!). Sprinkle with parsley, if using, then carefully remove the sides of the pan. Cut the pie into wedges and serve with the reserved meat sauce on the side.

Steps:

• Put the olive oil into a pan. Add the chopped veggies and saute until the celery softens.
• Add ground beef or veal and saute until meat browns.
• Add your favorite red wine (the alcohol will be absorbed during cooking process).
• Add the crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste and allow this to simmer over low heat for at least an hour until sauce thickens.
• Boil rigatoni in hot, salted water.
• To plate the dish, put the rigatoni in a bowl, pour some sauce on top and garnish with some fresh parsley.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente (13 minutes for my pasta). Drain the pasta, rinse in cold water and drain again. Stir in 1 tbsp of the olive oil and set aside. (This keeps the pasta from sticking.).
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan. Add the beef, pork and veal to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Stir and cook the meat until it is no longer pink. Drain the meat and return it to the pan (draining is optional). Stir in the crushed tomatoes, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, basil, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Gently stir the finely grated Parmesan cheese into the cooked rigatoni. Stand the rigatoni up vertically in a greased springform pan. You should use the entire pound of the cooked pasta for this.
• Gently spread the ricotta cheese on top of the rigatoni in a thin, even layer.
• Carefully pour the meat sauce over all. This is the most time-consuming part. With clean hands, use your fingers to carefully push the meat sauce down into the rigatoni. As you push the meat sauce down, you will also push the ricotta cheese into the rigatoni, which will help keep this dish from being dry. The more time you spend on this step, the better results you will obtain - allow your obsessive-compulsiveness to shine! I spent about 8 minutes on this step.
• Set the springform pan on a baking sheet and place it in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven. Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over all. Return the pie to the oven and cook for 15 minutes longer.
• Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to stand in the sprinform pan for at least 15 minutes. Carefully run a knife along the edge of the pan to loosen the pie from the pan. Remove the sides of the sprinform pan.
• Slice the pie and garnish with parsley, if desired.
• HELPFUL TIPS: Use the rigatoni that is approximately 1 inch long. Make sure you freshly grate your Parmesan cheese because the pasta will not stick together if you use the grated cheese from a green can. Also, as mentioned above, allow your obsessive compulsiveness to shine while pushing the meat sauce down through the rigatoni. The more time you spend on this, the better results you will obtain.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with olive oil and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until tender but still underdone, about 3-4 minutes less than recommended time on the package. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Let cool slightly, then toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 cup parmesan. Set aside.
• Tightly pack pasta into springform pan, standing each piece on end. Spread meat sauce on top of pasta, pushing sauce into pasta holes.
• Top with mozzarella and pepperoni and transfer to oven.
• Bake 20-25 minutes, until pepperoni becomes browned in places and pasta on the edges of pan turn deeply golden and crisp.
• Remove from oven and top with remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan.
• Let rest 10 minutes, run knife around edge of pan to loosen, and unmold. Slice into wedges and serve warm.

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, salt. Cook until no longer white and starting to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook about 1 minute. Add chili flakes and blended tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer; adjust heat to medium to medium-low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 60 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes (5 minutes from doneness).
• Add about 2/3 of the basil to the sauce. Stir in butter. When butter melts, add cheese in 3 increments.
• Drain pasta; transfer to sauce. Stir until rigatoni are evenly coated with sauce. Serve sprinkled with the remaining basil and a dusting of grated cheese.

Steps:

• Boil the rigatoni in salted boiling water until just underdone or al dente.
• Drain the pasta and place in a bowl with a little olive oil so the pasta doesn't stick together. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
• In a pan, heat the olive oil and add the ground beef.
• Break up and stir the beef until brown.
• Add in the garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined.
• Add in the crushed tomatoes and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle the prepared pasta with the parmesan cheese and mix.
• In a springform pan, place the rigatoni noodles standing up to fill the pan.
• Pour the sauce over the noodles and bake at 400°F/200°C for 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle the pie with the mozzarella cheese and bake for another 15 minutes at the same temperature.
• Slice and serve!

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse in cold water and drain well again. Stir in 1 tbsp of the olive oil and set aside. (This keeps the pasta from sticking.).
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan. Add the beef, pork and veal to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Stir and cook the meat until it is no longer pink. Drain the meat and return it to the pan (draining is optional). Stir in the crushed tomatoes, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, basil, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Gently stir the finely grated Parmesan cheese into the cooked rigatoni. Stand the rigatoni up vertically in a greased springform pan. You should use the entire pound of the cooked pasta for this.
• Gently spread the ricotta cheese on top of the rigatoni in a thin, even layer.
• Carefully pour the meat sauce over all. This is the most time-consuming part. With clean hands, use the larger end of chopsticks or your fingers to carefully push the meat sauce down into the rigatoni. As you push the meat sauce down, you will also push the ricotta cheese into the rigatoni, which will help keep this dish from being dry. The more time you spend on this step, the better results you will obtain - allow your obsessive-compulsiveness to shine! I spent about 8 minutes on this step.
• Set the springform pan on a baking sheet and place it in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven. Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over all. Return the pie to the oven and cook for 15 minutes longer.
• Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to stand in the sprinform pan for at least 15 minutes. Carefully run a knife along the edge of the pan to loosen the pie from the pan. Remove the sides of the sprinform pan.
• Slice the pie and garnish with parsley, if desired.