Baked Rigatoni Alla Vodka

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

In a large sauce pan or Dutch oven, add the 2 tbsp of olive oil and brown the ground beef. Once cooked through and crumbled, remove from pan and drain some of the excess fat.

Step 2

​Add half the butter to the pan and sauté the onions on medium low until they start to soften. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for another few minutes then add in the tomato paste stir and cook until it looks dark red.

Step 3

​Add in the vodka stir and cook down for 3 to 5 minutes. Then add in the half-and-half and stir on low. Once it begins to thicken add in the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper.

Step 4

​Cook your rigatoni, according to package instructions in salted water.

Step 5

​In a mixing bowl, mixed together, the ricotta egg, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, and some salt and pepper.

Step 6

​Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, stir it in with the sauce, the rest of the cold butter, and a half cup of pasta water. Then fold in the drained ground beef.

Step 7

​Pour the pasta into a baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture all over the top and then sprinkle on the rest of the mozzarella and a little bit of Parmesan.

Step 8

​Bake at 375 F for 20 to 25 minutes and then broil for the last 3 minutes to get a nice crust. Serve with some fresh basil and enjoy!