Cheesy Oat & Rigatoni Bake
Indulge in this delightful Cheesy Oat & Rigatoni Bake, a comforting one-dish meal that your family will love! Inspired by the book 'Saving Dinner', this recipe cleverly incorporates wholesome oats and lean beef into a rich and creamy bake without sacrificing flavor. It's a fantastic way to sneak in some nutrition while satisfying even the pickiest eaters. The layers of melty mozzarella and the bite of Romano or Parmesan cheese elevate this dish to a crowd-pleaser, perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests. Enjoy a hearty, guilt-free meal that everyone will rave about!
6
Servings
350
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra lean ground beef
1/2 lb (browned and crumbled)
oats
1 cup (dry)
spaghetti sauce
1 (28 ounce) jar (any variety)
fat-free cottage cheese
1 cup (none)
rigatoni pasta
3 cups (cooked according to package instructions)
part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 cup (shredded)
Romano cheese or Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it's browned and crumbled. Drain any excess grease.
3
Add the dry oats to the browned beef and stir until well-combined.
4
Pour in the spaghetti sauce along with the cottage cheese, mixing thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
5
Gently fold in the cooked rigatoni pasta until it is evenly coated with the sauce mixture.
6
Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with shredded mozzarella and grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8
Serve hot and enjoy this nutritious and filling meal!
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
30g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Oat & Rigatoni Bake?
It is a comforting one-dish meal that incorporates wholesome oats and lean beef into a rich and creamy pasta bake.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the calorie count for a single serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
What are the primary protein sources in this dish?
The main protein sources are 1/2 lb of extra lean ground beef and fat-free cottage cheese, providing 25g of protein per serving.
Why are oats included in a pasta recipe?
Dry oats are used to add wholesome nutrition and bulk to the meal while maintaining a rich flavor profile.
What type of pasta is required?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of rigatoni pasta, cooked according to package instructions.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the bake need to stay in the oven?
It should be baked for 20 to 30 minutes.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
The dish is topped with 1 cup of shredded part-skim mozzarella and 1/4 cup of grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
How much spaghetti sauce is needed?
You will need one 28-ounce jar of any variety of spaghetti sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick family dinner?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and an easy recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
What is the total fat content per serving?
There are 10 grams of fat per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 30 grams of carbohydrates.
What type of cottage cheese is recommended?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of fat-free cottage cheese.
How should the ground beef be prepared?
The ground beef should be browned and crumbled in a large skillet, then drained of excess grease.
Do I need to cook the oats before adding them to the beef?
No, you add the dry oats directly to the browned beef and stir until well-combined.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by the book 'Saving Dinner'.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a one-dish meal, making cleanup easier.
How do I know when the bake is ready?
The bake is ready when the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 7 main ingredients required for this recipe.
Should the casserole dish be prepared before adding the mixture?
Yes, the mixture should be transferred to a greased casserole dish.
Can I substitute the Romano cheese?
Yes, the recipe suggests using either grated Romano or Parmesan cheese.
Is this recipe considered kid-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a way to sneak in nutrition while satisfying even the pickiest eaters.
What is the nutritional focus of this dish?
The dish focuses on being low fat and healthy by using extra lean meat and fat-free dairy.
How is the rigatoni incorporated?
The cooked pasta is gently folded into the sauce, beef, and oat mixture until evenly coated.
What variety of spaghetti sauce works best?
The recipe indicates that any variety of spaghetti sauce can be used.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include healthy, pasta bake, family dinner, comfort food, and easy recipe.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
It is described as a rich, creamy, and filling meal.
Is there any fiber information available?
The fiber content is not specified in the current nutritional data.
How is the beef and oat mixture combined with the sauce?
You pour the spaghetti sauce and cottage cheese into the beef and oat mixture and mix thoroughly.