Stuffed-Meatball Rigatoni Bake with a Parmesan & Panko Crust

Step 1

• Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. • Reserve half the mozzarella in a small bowl (you’ll use the rest in the next step). • 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.

Step 2

• To bowl with panko mixture, add beef*, half the Tuscan Heat Spice (you’ll use more later), and 3⁄4 tsp salt (1 1⁄2 tsp for 4 servings); combine and season with pepper. • 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.

Step 3

• Lightly oil a baking sheet. Spread meatballs out across sheet. • Bake on middle rack until cooked through, 20-22 minutes. (It’s OK if some cheese oozes out!) Remove sheet from oven. • Heat broiler to high.

Step 4

• Once water is boiling, add rigatoni to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. • Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside. • While pasta cooks, place 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings) in a second small microwave-safe bowl; microwave until melted, 30 seconds. Stir in remaining panko and 1⁄4 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (1⁄2 tsp for 4); season with salt and pepper. (You’ll use the rest of the Tuscan Heat Spice in the next step.)

Step 5

• Once meatballs and pasta are done, heat a large, preferably ovenproof, pan over medium-high heat. Stir in marinara, remaining Tuscan Heat Spice, 1⁄2 cup reserved pasta cooking water (3⁄4 cup for 4 servings), 1 tsp sugar (2 tsp for 4), and salt (we used 1⁄2 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 until melted. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 6

• Stir drained rigatoni and meatballs into pan with 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 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 melts, 1-2 minutes. TIP: Watch carefully to avoid burning. • Let cool slightly, then serve.