Marcella's Stuffed Rigatoni

Indulge in the comforting, Italian-inspired flavors of Marcella's Stuffed Rigatoni, a baked pasta masterpiece that’s as satisfying as it is impressive. This hearty dish features tender rigatoni noodles filled with a creamy ricotta, Parmesan, and spinach mixture, perfectly seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs. Each bite is smothered in rich marinara sauce and topped with a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese, creating a gooey, irresistible topping. Perfect for family dinners or a cozy gathering, this recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare, using a convenient piping technique to fill the pasta and requiring just 30 minutes of prep time. Serve it hot alongside a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a meal that’s both comforting and crowd-pleasing. Marcella’s Stuffed Rigatoni is destined to become a go-to favorite for anyone who loves baked pasta recipes with a flavorful twist!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 ounces Rigatoni pasta
• 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
• 10 ounces Fresh spinach
• 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Large egg
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 3 cups Marinara sauce
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta until al dente according to the package instructions, and then drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach and sauté for 2–3 minutes or until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 4

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, sautéed spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, the egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the filling.

Step 5

Transfer the ricotta mixture to a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off for easy handling.

Step 6

Pipe the filling into each rigatoni until completely stuffed and place the stuffed rigatoni in a single layer in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 7

Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed rigatoni, making sure they are all well-coated.

Step 8

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the marinara-covered pasta.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving warm. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2260.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2886.7

Total Fat 151.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 687.3mg	0%
Sodium 5707.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 210.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.7g	0%
Total Sugars 20.8g
Protein 182.2g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 4641.0mg	0%
Iron 18.3mg	0%
Potassium 744.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.4%

Protein: 24.8%

Carbs: 28.7%