# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 lb rigatoni noodles
→ Cheese Filling
02 - 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
03 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
04 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
13 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - ½ teaspoon dried basil
16 - ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ To Assemble
18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil for greasing and brushing
19 - Extra chopped parsley, for garnish
20 - Additional grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with olive oil and line the base with parchment paper.
02 - Boil rigatoni noodles in salted water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 1 additional minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until thoroughly blended and smooth.
05 - Arrange rigatoni noodles upright and tightly packed in the prepared pan. Fill each tube with the ricotta mixture using a piping bag or small spoon.
06 - Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the filled noodles, allowing sauce to seep between them. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
07 - Cover pan loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover, then bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
08 - Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Release the springform pan. Garnish with additional parsley and Parmesan. Slice and serve warm.
