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Hot Honey Meat Lovers Pasta

Hot Honey Meat Lovers Pasta

Spicy, cheesy, loaded with meat, and finished with a heavy-handed hot honey drizzle.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rigatoni cavatappi, or penne
  • 4 links hot Italian sausage (casings removed)
  • 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
  • 1/2 yellow or white onion diced
  • 3 clove garlic minced
  • 24 oz marinara or your favorite red sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
  • fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
  • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • salt & pepper
  • 6 tbsp hot honey

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  1. Remove sausage from casings and brown in a hot pan.
  1. Add diced onion, garlic, chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until softened.
  1. Boil pasta in salted water until just under al dente. Drain.
  1. Add marinara to the sausage mixture and simmer for 8–10 minutes.
  1. Stir in ½ cup ricotta and 3 tbsp hot honey. Mix well.
  1. In a greased baking dish, layer pasta, dollops of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, pepperoni, and parsley. Repeat layers.
  1. Top with more cheese and pepperoni.
  1. Bake uncovered for 16-18 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  1. Drizzle with hot honey and finish with fresh herbs. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For extra spice, add more red chili flakes or use spicy marinara sauce.
  • Let the pasta rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the layers to set.
  • Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture.