ADVERTISEMENT

Cheesy Rigatoni Pepper Bake

Prep Time
1h 45 min
Yields
6 - 8 servings

A hearty baked dish with toothsome rigatoni, mini sweet peppers, and lots of mozzarella cheese.

ADVERTISEMENT

ingredients

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1
lb(s) rigatoni
2
tbsp olive oil
4
cloves garlic, minced
1
onion, finely diced
2 28-oz
cans diced tomatoes
1 6-oz
can tomato paste
2 8-oz
balls fresh mozzarella, cut into large cubes
9
tbsp grated Parmesan
1 1-pound
bag mini sweet peppers, stemmed and halved
Peppy Salad, recipe follows

Peppy Salad

1 5-oz
bag baby spring lettuce leaves
1
cup halved pepperoncini
1
cup halved cherry tomatoes
1
red onion, sliced
1
mini red pepper, thinly sliced
3
tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
ADVERTISEMENT

directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions; drain and set aside to cool.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook until the onions are golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste until everything is mixed together. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Step 4

Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Layer in half of the cooked noodles, half of the cubed mozzarella, 3 tablespoons Parmesan and half of the sweet peppers. Top with half of the remaining sauce. Repeat the process with the remaining noodles and mozzarella, 3 tablespoons Parmesan and the remaining peppers and sauce. Top with the remaining 3 tablespoons Parmesan. (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate.)

Step 5

Cover and bake until the sauce is bubbling and the peppers are cooked through, about 40 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. Serve with Peppy Salad.

Step 6

Add the lettuce, pepperoncini, tomatoes, onion and mini pepper to a bowl. Drizzle over the olive oil and lemon, then sprinkle over some salt and pepper and toss.

Rate Recipe

Be the first to rate Cheesy Rigatoni Pepper Bake
ADVERTISEMENT