Cheesy Crock Pot Rigatoni Delight
This Cheesy Crock Pot Rigatoni Delight is a hearty and comforting dish that combines rich flavors and gooey cheese. Inspired by a classic from the 'Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook', this recipe is not only simple to prepare, but also incredibly versatile. You can tailor it to your tastes by adding extra veggies like mushrooms or onions, or even switching up the protein with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish cooks slowly in your crock pot, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while you focus on other tasks. Serve it with a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal!
N/A
Servings
525
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spaghetti sauce
28 ounces (jarred or home-made)
Rigatoni pasta
12 ounces (cooked)
Ground beef or sausage
1.5 lbs (browned)
Shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups (shredded)
Sliced pepperoni
0.5 - 0.75 lbs (sliced)
Sliced mushrooms or onion
to taste (optional)
Instructions
1
Start by browning the ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
2
In a large bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni pasta, spaghetti sauce, and the browned meat. Stir until well mixed.
3
In the bottom of your crock pot, layer half of the pasta mixture.
4
Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by half of the sliced pepperoni.
5
If using, add a layer of sliced mushrooms or onions.
6
Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta mixture, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.
7
Cover the crock pot with a lid and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8
Once cooked, let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
31.25g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Crock Pot Rigatoni Delight?
It is a hearty and comforting dish that combines rich flavors and gooey cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.
What ingredients are needed for this recipe?
You will need spaghetti sauce, cooked rigatoni pasta, ground beef or sausage, shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced pepperoni, and optional mushrooms or onions.
How long does it take to cook in the crock pot?
The dish cooks on low for 4 to 5 hours until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, you can easily switch up the protein with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives.
Do I need to cook the pasta before putting it in the crock pot?
Yes, the recipe requires 12 ounces of rigatoni pasta that has already been cooked.
What crock pot setting should I use?
This recipe should be cooked on the low heat setting for the best results.
Can I add vegetables to this rigatoni dish?
Yes, you can tailor it to your tastes by adding extra veggies like mushrooms or onions.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Is pepperoni included in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 0.5 to 0.75 lbs of sliced pepperoni.
What kind of spaghetti sauce is best?
You can use 28 ounces of either jarred or home-made spaghetti sauce.
How much meat is needed for the recipe?
You need 1.5 lbs of ground beef or sausage.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 525 calories.
What is the protein content of this meal?
This dish provides 30g of protein per serving.
Is this recipe inspired by a cookbook?
Yes, it is inspired by a classic from the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook.
Can I use sausage instead of ground beef?
Yes, the recipe allows for either ground beef or sausage.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is simple to prepare and allows the flavors to meld beautifully while cooking slowly.
How do I layer the ingredients in the crock pot?
Layer half of the pasta mixture, then half of the cheese and pepperoni, and repeat the process once more.
What should I serve with Cheesy Crock Pot Rigatoni Delight?
It is recommended to serve it with a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Are mushrooms and onions required?
No, sliced mushrooms and onions are optional ingredients added to taste.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
Shredded mozzarella cheese is used to provide a gooey, cheesy texture.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 37.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The dish contains 31.25g of fat per serving.
Can I use plant-based meat?
Yes, plant-based alternatives can be used in place of the ground beef or sausage.
Do I need to brown the meat before adding it to the crock pot?
Yes, you must brown the meat in a skillet and drain the excess fat first.
Should I drain the fat from the meat?
Yes, after browning the ground beef or sausage, drain any excess fat before mixing it with other ingredients.
How much rigatoni pasta is used?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of cooked rigatoni pasta.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for family meals and is very kid-friendly.
Can I customize the flavor of this dish?
Yes, the recipe is incredibly versatile and can be tailored to individual tastes.
How much pepperoni should I buy?
You should use between 0.5 and 0.75 lbs of sliced pepperoni.
Should the dish sit before serving?
Yes, once cooked, let it sit for a few minutes before serving to help the flavors settle.