Stuffed Meatball Rigatoni Bake
with a Parmesan & Panko Crust
Sure, you’ve heard of a cheese-stuffed burger, but a cheese-stuffed meatball?! Now that’s next-level culinary innovation. Tuscan-spiced ground beef is wrapped around shredded mozzarella and then baked. While they’re in the oven, you’ll be boiling rigatoni and whipping up a marinara sauce any Nonna would be proud of. Everything is tossed together, then topped with buttery panko, Parmesan and more mozz. A trip under the broiler transforms the topping into crunchy, melty perfection. “Now that’s a cheesy meatball!”
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
Ingredients
½ cup
Mozzarella Cheese
(Contains Milk)
6 ounce
Rigatoni Pasta
(Contains Wheat)
½ cup
Panko Breadcrumbs
(Contains Wheat)
10 ounce
Ground Beef
1 tablespoon
Tuscan Heat Spice
14 ounce
Marinara Cup
¼ cup
Parmesan Cheese
(Contains Milk)
Not included in your delivery
1 teaspoon
Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon
Sugar
2 tablespoon
Butter
(Contains Milk)
Salt
Pepper
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Instructions
Adjust racks to top and middle positions and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Reserve half the mozzarella in a small bowl. In a large bowl, soak half the panko (you’ll use the rest later) with 2 TBSP water (3 TBSP for 4 servings); let sit until absorbed (this’ll transform into a panade).
Add beef, half the Tuscan Heat Spice (you’ll use more later), ¾ tsp salt (1½ tsp for 4), and pepper to bowl with panade. Form into four 3-inch-wide rounds (eight rounds for 4); divide remaining mozzarella between the centers of each. Gently fold meat around cheese, shaping and sealing to create cheese-stuffed meatballs.
Lightly oil a baking sheet. Spread meatballs out on sheet. Bake on middle rack until cooked through, 20-22 minutes. (TIP: It’s OK if some cheese oozes out!) Remove from oven. Heat broiler to high.
Once water is boiling, add rigatoni to pot. Cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside. Meanwhile, place 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings) in second small microwavesafe bowl; microwave until melted, 30 seconds. Stir in remaining panko, ¼ tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (½ tsp for 4; you’ll use the rest later), salt, and pepper.
Once meatballs and pasta are done, heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Stir in marinara, remaining Tuscan Heat Spice, ½ cup reserved pasta cooking water (¾ cup for 4 servings), 1 tsp sugar (2 tsp for 4), and salt (we used ½ tsp; 1 tsp for 4). Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4). Season generously with salt and pepper.
Stir rigatoni and meatballs into sauce. If needed, stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until everything is thoroughly coated in sauce. (TIP: If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer mixture now to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.) Top pasta with Parmesan, reserved mozzarella, and panko mixture. Broil until panko is golden brown and cheese has melted, 1-2 minutes. Let cool slightly; serve.
