Baked Rigatoni with Star-Shaped Mortadella and Creamy Cheese Sauce

Rigatoni Gratinati with Star-Shaped Mortadella
Category: Pasta Dishes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Besciamella Sauce:
   Start by making the classic besciamella (béchamel) sauce. In a saucepan, melt 50g of butter over medium heat. Add a pinch of nutmeg for flavor. Once the butter is melted and fragrant, sprinkle in the 40g of all-purpose flour. Stir continuously for about a minute to form a roux. Slowly pour in the 500ml of whole milk, whisking to prevent lumps. Let the sauce cook for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

2. Prepare the Mortadella:
   If you have a star-shaped cookie cutter, use it to create star-shaped pieces from the mortadella. If not, simply chop the mortadella into small cubes or thin strips as an alternative. Set the mortadella aside.

3. Cook the Pasta:
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook them for about 6-7 minutes, keeping them al dente (they will cook further in the oven). Drain the pasta and set it aside.

4. Combine the Sauce and Mortadella:
   Add the mortadella stars (or pieces) to the besciamella sauce. Stir well to evenly distribute. Then, incorporate the grated Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheeses into the mixture, allowing them to melt and enrich the sauce.

5. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni with the besciamella and mortadella sauce. Stir gently to coat each piece of pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.

6. Bake the Pasta:
   Transfer the sauced pasta into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 20g of grated Grana Padano cheese. Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Bake the rigatoni in a static oven for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

7. Gratin the Pasta:
   After the initial baking time, switch your oven to the grill (broiler) setting. Let the pasta bake for an additional 2 minutes, just enough to form a crispy golden crust on the top.

8. Serve and Enjoy:
   Once your rigatoni gratinati with star-shaped mortadella are perfectly baked and golden, remove them from the oven. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle. Serve warm and enjoy this rich, comforting dish.

Tips:

• For an even richer flavor, you can add a touch of cream to the besciamella sauce.
• If you prefer a more decadent texture, add a bit more butter to the sauce.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad to balance out its richness.