Stuffed Rigatoni Parmesan

I want to start off with an apology...The last few weeks have been so hectic that my blog has taken a back seat for a while.  I had a very big Bridal shower job which required me to make 250 hand made chocolate truffles.

Peppermint, Milk Chocolate and Raspberry

The sea of boxes...

All Packaged and ready to go!!

So, there is one thing I have been VERY busy with.

Another thing is my newest foster dog arrived last week..what a love!  His name is Ziggy and he is just a dream.  I picked him up from Spring Valley NY last weekend and then brought him to an adoption event 2 1/2 hours into Connecticut the next day.

Believe it or not..he found a new home already!!!  He is going to his new home on Saturday!!!

 Look at that face..is he cute or what?

Then of course the daily taking care of my kids, being a Daisy Troop leader, watching a little girl after school every day for two hours, art classes, gymnastics, Hebrew school, first grade school parties etc.... phew...I am tired just thinking about it.  

It's not like I have not been cooking, I just have not had the time...or energy to type up my posts at the end of the day.  

So here is one great recipe...Stuffed Rigatoni Parmesan...I hope you enjoy it!

Here us what you'll need:

• Italian sausage patty's
• Extra Large Rigatoni (you really need to go to an Italian market for these)
• 1 large container of Ricotta cheese
• 2 packages of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 - 5 cups Tomato Sauce
• 2 eggs
• Pastry bag

In a fry pan saute the sausage and break it up with a wooden spoon. Saute until fully cooked.

Line the bottom of a casserole dish with tomato sauce.

Boil the pasta according to the instructions on package, drain and let cool.

Mix the sausage and the tomato sauce together and set aside.

Combine the Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, 2 eggs, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, garlic powder and oregeno.  

Mix well.

Now fill your pastry bag with some of the cheese mixture and cut the tip large enough to get a good flow of the cheese.  If you dont have a pastry bag you could always use a large zip lock bag.

Now take one cooked Rigatoni and open it up slightly and place the tip of the bag inside the pasta.  Now squeeze a small amount into the pasta.

Here is a picture of a Rigatoni all stuffed..yum.

Continue stuffing each rigatoni and layer them in the pan.

Now place the sausage and sauce mixture over the top of the pasta.  

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.

Cover with tin foil and bake on 375 for 35-45 minutes.  The last 5 minutes remove the tin foil and let the cheese melt and brown.

There you have a delicious and comforting Italian meal...Enjoy!

Serve with some fresh Italian Bread.