Meatball Rigatoni Alfredo

Name: Meatball Rigatoni Alfredo
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs; 1/3 cup water; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 4-1/2 teaspoons each minced fresh thyme, oregano and basil or 1-1/2 teaspoons each dried thyme, oregano and basil; 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1-1/2 pounds ground beef; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1/3 cup dry red wine or beef broth; 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes; 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley; 12 ounces uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta; ALFREDO TOPPING:; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 cups half-and-half cream; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

3 Reviews

Total Time:Prep: 1-1/4 hours Bake: 20 min.

By Taste Of Home Editorial Team

Recipe by Jennifer Ross, Clinton, Ohio

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated on Oct. 01, 2022

My kids love meatballs with rigatoni or spaghetti. The baked cheese sauce in this recipe just takes it over the top!—Jennifer Ross, Clinton, Ohio

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

Meatball Rigatoni Alfredo

3 Reviews Add your review

Yield:6 servings

Prep:1 hour 15 min

Cook:20 min

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Ingredients

1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4-1/2 teaspoons each minced fresh thyme, oregano and basil or 1-1/2 teaspoons each dried thyme, oregano and basil
1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup dry red wine or beef broth
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
12 ounces uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta
alfredo topping:

1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

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Directions

1
In a large bowl, combine egg, bread crumbs, water, cheese and seasonings. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. In a Dutch oven, brown meatballs in oil in batches; remove and keep warm.

2
Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. In drippings, saute onion until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine; cook and stir 3 minutes.
3
Return meatballs to pan; stir in tomatoes and parsley. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 25-30 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
4
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. Cook rigatoni according to package directions.
5
In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
6
Drain rigatoni; place in a large bowl. Add meatballs and sauce; stir to coat. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.
7
Top with Alfredo sauce; sprinkle with thyme, oregano and remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.