Savory Beer Brat Rigatoni Bake
Indulge in this hearty and flavorful dish that combines the rich taste of beer-braised bratwursts with al dente rigatoni pasta, enhanced by roasted sweet red peppers and onions. Topped with melted low-fat cheddar cheese and fresh basil, this comforting casserole raises the bar on weeknight dinners and is perfect for gatherings. A true crowd-pleaser that reflects a blend of Italian and German flavors, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
N/A
Servings
320
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
rigatoni pasta
1 lb (uncooked)
bratwursts
15 ounces (remove casing and crumble)
beer
1/2 cup (none)
low-fat cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (shredded)
sweet red peppers
2 (coarsely chopped)
onion
1 cup (coarsely chopped)
garlic cloves
4-6 (chopped)
fresh basil
1/2 cup (chopped)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, combine the coarsely chopped sweet red peppers, onion, and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
3
While the vegetables are roasting, remove the casings from the bratwursts. Crumble the meat and cook it in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain on a paper towel to remove excess fat.
4
Pour the fat out of the skillet. Add the cooked bratwurst back to the skillet, along with the beer. Bring to a simmer and let it cook, allowing the flavors to meld for about 5 minutes.
5
Meanwhile, cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
6
Once the vegetables are roasted, add the bratwurst mixture to the baking dish, along with the cooked rigatoni, fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Toss everything together thoroughly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to keep the mixture moist.
7
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the dish.
8
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
9
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your savory beer brat rigatoni bake!
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
40g
Carbs
16g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Beer Brat Rigatoni Bake?
It is a hearty casserole dish that combines beer-braised bratwursts with rigatoni pasta, roasted sweet red peppers, and onions, topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh basil.
What kind of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of uncooked rigatoni pasta.
How many bratwursts are needed?
You will need 15 ounces of bratwursts with the casings removed.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of shredded low-fat cheddar cheese.
What oven temperature is required?
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
How long should the vegetables roast?
Roast the sweet red peppers, onion, and garlic for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Do I need to remove the bratwurst casings?
Yes, remove the casings and crumble the meat before cooking in a skillet.
How long do I cook the bratwurst in the skillet?
Cook the crumbled meat for 7-10 minutes until browned and cooked through.
When do I add the beer?
Add the beer to the skillet after the bratwurst is browned and the excess fat has been drained.
How long should the bratwurst simmer in beer?
Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Should the pasta be fully cooked?
Cook the rigatoni until it is al dente according to the package directions.
Why should I reserve pasta water?
Reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water helps keep the mixture moist when tossing the ingredients together.
What vegetables are included in this dish?
The dish includes 2 coarsely chopped sweet red peppers, 1 cup of onion, and 4-6 chopped garlic cloves.
How much olive oil is used?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of olive oil to coat the vegetables for roasting.
Is the dish spicy?
It contains 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted to your taste preference.
How much fresh basil is required?
You will need 1/2 cup of chopped fresh basil.
How long is the final bake time?
The assembled dish should bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
What are the nutritional facts for this recipe?
Each serving contains approximately 320 calories, 12.5g fat, 40g carbohydrates, and 16g protein.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The dish is ready when the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
What are the cultural influences of this recipe?
This recipe reflects a blend of Italian and German flavors.
Can I use regular cheddar cheese?
Yes, while the recipe specifies low-fat cheddar, regular cheddar can be used as a substitute.
How much beer is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of beer.
How do I prepare the garlic?
The 4-6 garlic cloves should be chopped before being roasted with the peppers and onions.
Is this dish good for crowds?
Yes, it is described as a true crowd-pleaser and perfect for gatherings.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
When do I add the cheese?
One cup of cheese is tossed with the pasta and meat, and the remaining half cup is sprinkled on top before the final bake.
Can I adjust the amount of red pepper flakes?
Yes, the 1/2 teaspoon measurement is suggested to be added 'to taste'.
How should the sweet red peppers be cut?
They should be coarsely chopped.
Should I drain the bratwurst fat?
Yes, drain the meat on a paper towel and pour the fat out of the skillet before adding the beer.