30 mins
20 mins
Serves 6

Deconstructed Cabbage Roll Pasta Bake


If you love cabbage rolls, but not the messy and time-consuming prep, this Rigatoni pasta bake will be your new dinnertime go-to!
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups (500 mL) Italpasta Rigatoni
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) fennel seeds
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) chili flakes
  • 1 lb (500 g) ground pork
  • 1 jar (660 mL) Mutti Marinara Sauce
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) each of cider (or white) vinegar and brown sugar
  • 1 green pepper, seeded and diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups (750 mL) prepared coleslaw mix (or very thinly sliced cabbage)
  • 1.5 cups (375 mL) grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Sauce

  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) full fat sour cream
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) sauerkraut
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh dill
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh chives (or green onions)
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) milk
  • 1 cloves garlic, minced
  • Pinch salt and pepper
  •   
  • Stir together all ingredients until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Instructions

  • Cook pasta for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C).
  • Heat oil in the same pot you cooked pasta in, over medium heat. Cook onion until lightly brown, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add dried herbs, spices and pork. Cook, stirring (with wooden spoon) and breaking up pork, until edges of meat are brown, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Add marinara sauce and bring to a gentle boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has reduced slightly, and meat is cooked through about 3 to 5 minutes. 
  • Remove from heat. Stir in vinegar, brown sugar, peppers, garlic, cabbage, ½ cup (125 mL) parmesan cheese and cooked pasta until well combined.
  • Place in a well-greased 9 X 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 cup (250 mL) parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling.
  • Remove from the oven and let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.
  • Dollop each portion evenly with sauce.
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Tips

Use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground pork.
For added plant protein and fiber, add ½ cup (125 mL) drained and rinsed chickpeas or white kidney beans to the mixture before baking.

Nutritional Analysis

Calories: 590kcalCarbohydrates: 46.1gProtein: 33.1gFat: 31.1gSaturated Fat: 11.2gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 1172mgPotassium: 1007mgFiber: 4.5gSugar: 12.5g