The Cheesecake Factory’s Baked Rigatoni recipe might be better than grandma’s

While the extensive dessert menu is legendary, The Cheesecake Factory’s Baked Rigatoni recipe brings a taste of that family tradition to the table. As the popular restaurant brand continues to share some favorite recipes on its online cookbook, many home cooks are enjoying those delicious restaurant dishes from their home kitchen. Could this Baked Rigatoni recipe become a new Sunday dinner tradition?

Although making this recipe at home and enjoying the dish in The Cheesecake Factory atmosphere is different (plus, you have to do the dishes at home), bringing a taste of the popular menu item to the home table is important. In many ways, this recipe only increases that craving for great dishes from the popular restaurant brand.

Additionally, just because you make this Baked Rigatoni recipe at home, doesn’t meant that you can’t order a slice or several cheesecake slices to have for dessert. Whether you shake up the iconic Cheesecake Factory Sangria or prefer a glass of chianti, this recipe is definitely a must try for that next family dinner.

Here’s how to make The Cheesecake Factory’s Baked Rigatoni recipe.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. Rigatoni Pasta
• 2-1/2 Cups Alfredo Sauce*
• 1/4 Cup Cream Cheese
• 1-1/2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
• 3/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
• 2 tbls. Vegetable Oil
• 1 lb. Ground Chicken
• 2. tbls Tomato Paste
• 4 ea. Garlic Cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
• Pinch of Basil, dry
• Pinch of Crushed Red Chile Flakes (optional)
• 1/4 Cup White Wine
• 2 Cups Marinara Sauce

For Garnish:

• 2 tbls. Parmesan Cheese, grated
• 6 ea. Fresh Basil Leaves, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 375℉. Coat the inside of a 9” x 13” baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
• Cook the pasta al dente in a large stockpot of boiling water.
• While the pasta is cooking, place the alfredo sauce and cream cheese into a saucepot set over medium heat. Stir the ingredients together and cook until smooth and warm throughout. Remove from the heat and aside until needed.
• When the pasta is done remove it from the heat and drain well. Place the pasta into a large mixing bowl. Add the alfredo sauce, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese, the salt and pepper into the bowl with the pasta and gently fold the ingredients together. Transfer the pasta and sauce into the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese evenly over the pasta and bake until the cheese melts and turns golden brown (approximately 20 to 25 minutes).
• While the rigatoni is baking, heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add the ground chicken into the pan and cook until most of the liquid from the chicken has evaporated about 5 minutes. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to break up the chicken into small pieces while it’s cooking.
• Add the tomato paste, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and chile flakes (optional) into the pan with the chicken. Gently stir the ingredients together and cook for about a minute. Add the white wine into the pan and cook about two minutes. Add the marinara sauce and stir to combine. Cook the sauce until hot throughout.
• Remove the rigatoni from the oven and let stand for five minutes. Divide the rigatoni into six portions. Place each portion onto a serving plate. Top the rigatoni with some of the chicken meat sauce and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil (optional) over each portion.

A couple of notes about this recipe. First, the sauce really does matter. While The Cheesecake Factory makes its sauces from scratch, home cooks have options. From a store-bought sauce to a homemade recipe, the options are many.

Also, this Baked Rigatoni recipe makes a lot of food. While it can feed a hungry family, it can also be used to have leftovers. Consider pre-portioning the leftovers and freezing. Sometimes having a great comfort food meal available at the ready is the tastiest meal.

Have you tried any of the The Cheesecake Factory recipes at home? Are you going to make this Baked Rigatoni recipe for your next family dinner?