Meals Matter

Baked Rigatoni alla Maria

Contributed By: Maria_cook
Maria_cook

This delicious pasta dish is a perfect family dish. Kids love the strings of cheese and grown-ups will pick at the grilled pasta... It can be accompanied by a light salad, and other ingredients such as zucchinis and Italian sausage can be added to create another original family pasta dish.

Ingredients

1 lb. Mini Rigatoni

1 1/2 lb. Thinly sliced fresh Mozzarella

6 Table spoons olive oil

2 Small sweet onions cut into small squares

4 Thinly sliced garlic cloves

12 Plum tomatoes cut into small squares

2 Bay-leaves

Aged Parmegiano Reggiano

Butter, salt and pepper

Preparation

Heat 5 table spoons of olive oil in a sauce pan. When the oil is hot, add the onions and the garlic. Cook until lightly brown. Then add the tomatoes and the bay-leaves. Simmer covered, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes or until the tomatoes and onions blend together. Keep the sauce on the side.


Bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil. Add salt, 1 table spoon olive oil, and the pasta. Boil uncovered, stirring occasionally for about 12 minutes or until al dente. Remove from the heat and drain well.


Mix thoroughly the tomato sauce and the cooked pasta. Pour half of the pasta into a buttered baking dish. Cover the pasta with half of the sliced Mozzarella. Then pour the rest of the pasta into the baking dish. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and thinly shaved Parmegiano Reggiano to taste.


Bake for about 15 minutes or until tender at 450 Fahrenheit.

Cook's Notes

I hope you will enjoy this recipe! I have been making this dish for my family and friends for over 10 years... everybody loves it!

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Recipe Details

Total Preparation Time: 1 hour
Ingredients: Bean & Legume
Egg & Cheese
Actual Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Number of Servings: 6
Origin: Italian
Special Features: Kids Love It
Meal Type: Entree