Honeycomb Pasta aka Rigatoni Pie Recipe (Trying This Viral Trend)
This standing rigatoni presentation blew my mind! The pasta stands vertically creating a honeycomb pattern, gets impossibly crispy on top with gooey cheese inside.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- rigatoni pasta 12 oz
- shredded mozzarella cheese 2 cups
- ricotta cheese 1 cup
- ground beef 1 lb
- marinara sauce 2 cups
- grated parmesan cheese 0.5 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
- olive oil 2 tbsp
- salt 1 tsp
- black pepper 0.5 tsp
- dried Italian seasoning 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
58 g
41%
Protein
22 g
15%
Fat
28 g
44%
Cooking steps
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1
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Cook rigatoni pasta until just al dente, then rinse and let it cool slightly. Toss the pasta with a drizzle of olive oil so it doesn’t stick.
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2
2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
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3
3. Line a springform pan (about 8-inch) with nonstick spray. Stand the cooked rigatoni upright, tightly packed vertically, to create the honeycomb effect.
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4
4. Mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, and half the parmesan in a bowl. Spoon or pipe this cheese mixture into each rigatoni tube (for extra cheesy ooze).
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5
5. Pour the meat sauce evenly over the pasta, then top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and crisp, with gooey cheese bubbling between the pasta.
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6
6. Let the pie cool for 5 minutes to set. Remove from pan, slice, and serve hot with extra marinara if desired.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Is this Honeycomb Pasta aka Rigatoni Pie recipe the same as the viral TikTok version?
Yes! This follows the viral technique where rigatoni is stood upright, filled with cheese, and baked with sauce and more cheese until crisp and gooey. The visual honeycomb pattern and cheese pulls are exactly what you've seen trending on TikTok.
Q. Is Honeycomb Pasta aka Rigatoni Pie actually easy to make at home?
Absolutely. All you need is pasta, cheese, marinara, and ground beef. The only tricky part is standing the rigatoni upright in the pan, but it’s fun and rewarding! Most of the work is simple assembly—no fancy skills needed.
Q. Can I customize the ingredients in Honeycomb Pasta aka Rigatoni Pie?
Definitely! You can swap ground beef for sausage, use vegetarian meat or skip it. Try different cheeses or add veggies like spinach. The viral format works well with substitutions—it’s super versatile for your taste or dietary needs.
Q. How healthy is Honeycomb Pasta aka Rigatoni Pie? What’s the nutrition like?
It’s pretty indulgent, with about 570 calories per serving. You get lots of carbs from the pasta, moderate protein from beef and cheese, and a cheesy dose of fat. It’s not exactly a light meal, but totally okay for a treat!
Q. Why did Honeycomb Pasta aka Rigatoni Pie go viral on TikTok?
The honeycomb look is visually stunning, especially when topped with melty cheese. It's satisfying to assemble, slice, and watch the cheese ooze—perfect for TikTok videos. Plus, it tastes amazing and feels like a pasta hack anyone can try!
