Hearty Homestyle Creamy Rigatoni Recipe: Bobby Flay’s Magic

Bobby Flay’s creamy rigatoni bursts with flavor, promising a culinary adventure that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Robust ground meat mingles with silky sauce, creating a symphony of comfort and indulgence.

Aromatic seasonings weave through each pasta strand, elevating this dish beyond ordinary weeknight meals.

Tender rigatoni becomes a canvas for rich, luxurious ingredients that melt together effortlessly.

Layers of depth emerge with every bite, transforming a simple pasta recipe into a gourmet experience.

The magic lies in how simple components unite to craft something extraordinary.

You’ll fall in love with this soul-warming masterpiece that feels like a passionate love letter to Italian cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 1032 kcal

Servings: 5

Creamy Rigatoni Ingredients

• Rigatoni: Choose sturdy pasta with ridges that hold sauce beautifully.
• Pasta Water: Reserve this liquid gold for creating silky, clingy sauces.

• Ground Beef: Select lean cut for rich flavor without excessive grease.
• Italian Sausage: Pick fresh sausage with robust herbs and spices.
• Onion: Opt for sweet varieties that caramelize wonderfully.

• Butter: Use high-quality unsalted butter for smooth, clean taste.
• Heavy Cream: Select fresh, full-fat cream for luxurious texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Choose authentic aged cheese with sharp, nutty profile.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Pick fresh, whole milk variety for supreme meltability.

• Tomato Sauce: Select robust, deep-flavored sauce without added sugar.
• Tomato Paste: Choose concentrated paste for intense tomato essence.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour for perfect thickening.
• Garlic Powder: Select fine, fragrant powder without bitter undertones.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground provides superior depth.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Choose high-quality, vibrant flakes for gentle heat.
• Oregano: Select dried herb with bright, Mediterranean character.
• Basil: Pick fragrant, crisp dried herb for authentic flavor.
• Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for balanced seasoning.

Tools You’ll Use for Pasta Prep

• Large Skillet: Heavy-bottomed pan for browning meat and creating robust flavor profiles.
• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and maintaining water temperature.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for creating smooth, creamy cheese sauce without scorching.
• 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Sturdy ceramic or glass pan for assembling and baking the entire casserole.
• Whisk: Crucial tool for blending roux and creating silky cheese sauce without lumps.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring meat mixture and preventing sticking.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities for consistent results.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Helps dice onions and prepare other recipe components cleanly.

How to Make Bobby Flay’s Creamy Rigatoni

• Prep Your Cooking Space

Get your kitchen ready for a delicious adventure. Warm up the oven to a cozy 350°F and give your baking dish a quick spritz of non-stick spray.

• Pasta Magic

Boil a big pot of water with a pinch of salt. Cook those rigatoni noodles until they’re perfectly tender. Save a splash of pasta water for later and drain the pasta.

• Meat Lover's Sizzle

In a sizzling skillet, brown ground beef and Italian sausage with some chopped onions. Let those flavors dance and mingle while draining any extra grease.

• Flavor Explosion

Sprinkle in a wild mix of herbs and spices – garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, and basil. Pour in tomato sauce and paste, then let the mixture simmer and bubble.

• Creamy Cheese Dream

Whip up a dreamy sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour. Slowly pour in heavy cream, creating a silky base that’ll make your taste buds sing.

• Cheese Transformation

Fold in Parmesan cheese until it melts into pure smoothness. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

• Pasta and Sauce Symphony

Mix your reserved pasta water into the cheese sauce. Coat those rigatoni noodles in creamy goodness until every inch is covered.

• Layered Deliciousness

Spread the cheesy pasta into your prepared baking dish. Cover it with a rich layer of meat sauce that’ll make mouths water.

• Cheese Blanket

Shower the top with a generous handful of mozzarella cheese, creating a golden, melty blanket.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Watch as the cheese turns into a bubbly, golden masterpiece.

• Serve and Celebrate

Pull out your creation and serve it hot. Add some garlic bread and a crisp salad to complete this mouthwatering meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for a Rich, Velvety Sauce

Experiment with unique flavor combinations and ingredient swaps that make this dish your own culinary masterpiece.

Replace ground beef and Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option that keeps the dish exciting and nutritious.

Sneak extra vegetables like chopped spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers into the meat sauce to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors and textures to your pasta bake.

Explore different cheese blends by mixing in sharp cheddar, fontina, or gouda alongside the mozzarella and Parmesan for a more complex and rich flavor profile that will elevate the entire dish.

What to Serve with Creamy Rigatoni

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or basil on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty pasta bake.
• Create a Balanced Plate: Add a light, crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the creamy, hearty casserole and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Toast thick slices of Italian bread with garlic butter to soak up the delicious sauce and add a delightful crunch to your meal.

Storage for Creamy Pasta Dishes

• Store Smartly in Sealed Containers: Transfer leftover pasta to airtight containers, ensuring a tight seal to maintain freshness and prevent odors from spreading in the refrigerator.
• Refrigerate for Quick Reheating: Keep the dish refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, allowing for convenient meal prep and easy weeknight dinners.
• Freeze for Long-Term Preservation: Wrap the casserole tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing it for up to 2 months without compromising taste or texture.
• Reheat with Care and Precision: Warm refrigerated or thawed pasta in the oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent drying out and ensuring the cheese remains creamy and delicious.

Spicy Bobby Flay Rigatoni Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Bobby Flay’s creamy rigatoni combines rich pasta with hearty sausage and aromatic herbs for an unforgettable Italian-inspired meal. Comfort and flavor merge seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delicious forkful of this irresistible dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) ground meat (1 lb/454 g ground beef, 1 lb/454 g ground Italian sausage)
• 16 oz (454 g) rigatoni pasta
• 2 cans (15 oz/425 g each) tomato sauce
• 1 can (12 oz/340 g) tomato paste
• 16 oz (454 g) heavy cream
• 6 oz (170 g) shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 diced onion
• ½ cup (114 g) butter
• ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Pasta Cooking: Boil salted water and cook rigatoni until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
3. Meat Preparation: Sauté ground beef, Italian sausage, and onions in a large skillet until fully browned. Drain excess fat and season with garlic powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, and dried basil.
4. Sauce Development: Add tomato sauce and tomato paste to the meat mixture, simmering to meld flavors. Simultaneously, create a velvety cream sauce by whisking butter, flour, and heavy cream until smooth.
5. Cheese Integration: Incorporate Parmesan cheese into the cream sauce, stirring until melted. Season with salt and black pepper, then blend in reserved pasta water.
6. Assembly: Toss rigatoni with cream sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Transfer to prepared baking dish, layer with meat sauce, and top generously with mozzarella cheese.
7. Baking: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden and bubbly.
8. Serving: Allow dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Pair with warm garlic bread and a fresh green salad.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve the starchy pasta water to create a silky, smooth sauce that helps bind ingredients perfectly.
• Meat Browning Technique: Ensure ground beef and sausage are completely browned to develop deep, rich flavors and eliminate any raw meat texture.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Gradually add Parmesan and mozzarella to prevent clumping and achieve a creamy, luxurious sauce consistency.
• Resting Ritual: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after baking to let flavors meld and make serving easier, creating a more cohesive and delicious meal.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 1032
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1074 mg
• Fat: 66 g
• Saturated Fat: 34 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
• Trans Fat: 3 g
• Carbohydrates: 73 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 51 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg