Baked Cavatelli Recipe
Add ground meatball or Italian sausage (upcharge).
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Sauce
Cheese Mixture
Optional Protein
Method
Pasta Preparation
- 1
Cook the Cavatelli
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatelli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sauce Preparation
- 2
Make the Sauce
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 15 minutes.
- 3
Add Protein (Optional)
If using Italian sausage or ground meatballs, cook them in the skillet until browned and fully cooked before adding the sauce. If using pre-cooked meat, simply mix it in with the sauce once it's simmered.
Cheese Mixture Preparation
- 4
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, egg, and salt. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
Assembly and Baking
- 5
Assemble the Dish
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish, spread a layer of the sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked cavatelli, then half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining sauce and a sprinkle of additional mozzarella cheese on top.
- 6
Bake
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.