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HONEYCOMB PASTA CAKE

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 pound rigatoni
  • kosher salt
  • 1 to 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 to 4 Cups tomato or marinara sauce
  • 1/2 pound hot sausage
  • 1/2 pound ground meat
  • 18 to 20 pieces of string cheese, cut each into thirds
  • 8 fresh torn basil leaves
  • 2 Cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • FOR THE RICOTTA FILLING:
  • 8 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
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Ok, so Honeycomb Pasta Cake isn’t really a cake. However, it is a thing of wonder. Total credit goes out to the original creator of this amazing piece of deliciousness, Valentina Mussi (sweetportfolio). Of course, I had to put my own little spin on it. Thankfully, I had a few containers of my Homemade Sauce in the freezer which made this dish extra special. Is this an easy dish? Yes. Is it quick to prepare? That would be a NO. Well, unless you have a helper, or two. Stuffing the rigatoni with all that cheese (that needs to be cut prior) takes up a fair amount of time. Is it worth it? That would be a big fat YES!

Naturally, I created a short video on TikTok making this fabulous creation. Click here to view. If you have not yet signed up for this social media platform, use my code 5SSIS800K0H06 to create an account.

honeycomb pasta cake sitting on a round plate

TIPS ON MAKING THE MOST PERFECT HONEYCOMB PASTA CAKE

First of all, using a 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan, is a MUST! Unless, you don’t really care about presentation. If that is the case, using a deep, round pan will work. However, the unveiling is part of the fun. Even though most springform pans are non-stick, spray the bottom and sides with a generous amount of non-stick spray, or line with butter.

As mentioned above, I used my own homemade sauce. If you do not feel like making your own, store bought is fine. After browning up hot sausage and ground beef, I just added in my sauce to create a beautiful meat sauce. I have seen several recipes where they used the sauce and meat separately. Feel free to leave meat out all together. In my opinion, the meat adds another level of incredible flavor.

As for the pasta, you need to choose one that can house the cheese and stand up in the pan. Large rigatoni worked beautifully. Ziti is also an option. However, you may find it harder to fill with the cheese. Cut up cannelloni could also be another option. Inevitably, a few of the rigatoni will break while they are boiling. Because of this, I suggest cooking up more than just a pound. Cook the pasta just to very al dente.

Use Galbani string cheese to fill the pasta. Cut each string cheese into three or four pieces. However, I have also seen a few recipes that filled the pasta with ricotta cheese. My twist, layer on Galbani’s classic or double cream ricotta filling instead. Most recipes call for standing all of the pasta up in the pan prior to filling with the string cheese. I found it much easier to fill the pasta with the string cheese first. If you can grab a helper for this task, do so. This would be a great way to get your kiddos involved in helping to make dinner.

Honestly, this recipe is more about technique. Do you, Boo! Have fun with it. Next time, I am thinking of also adding a layer of gorgeous béchamel sauce. Hope you ENJOY my version of Valentina’s Honeycomb Pasta Cake!

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honeycomb pasta cake sitting on a round plate

HONEYCOMB PASTA CAKE


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Description

This recipe for Honeycomb Pasta Cake is trending on social media. Even though it may be a bit time consuming, I assure you, it’s worth every single second. The reveal is part of the fun!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/4 pounds rigatoni
  • kosher salt
  • 1 to 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 to 4 Cups tomato or marinara sauce
  • 1/2 pound hot sausage
  • 1/2 pound ground meat
  • 18 to 20 pieces of string cheese, cut each into thirds
  • 8 fresh torn basil leaves
  • 2 Cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

FOR THE RICOTTA FILLING:

  • 8 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Boil water for the pasta. Salt. Cook pasta to very al dente.
  3. Drain pasta. Coat with a touch of olive oil to keep from sticking.
  4. While the pasta is cooking, brown the hot sausage and ground beef together in a separate pan. Once browned, add the sauce. Allow to cook for just a few minutes.
  5. Spray the bottom and sides of the springform pan with non-stick spray.
  6. Place a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the pan.
  7. Fill the pasta with the string cheese.
  8. Stand the cheese filled pasta inside the pan. Pack as tightly as you can.
  9. Ladle on more of the meat sauce to cover the pasta. 
  10. Combine the ingredients for the ricotta mixture in a separate bowl.
  11. Add the ricotta mixture on top of the meat sauce. Focusing on the middle. Try to avoid the edges.
  12. Sprinkle with torn basil leaves. Save a few for garnish.
  13. Top with the shredded mozzarella.
  14. Cover with foil. Bake for 20 -25 minutes.
  15. Remove foil and place under the broiler until the cheese browns.
  16. Remove from oven. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes.
  17. Place the pan on a large dish. Release the spring and pull up to reveal the goodness.
  18. Garnish with more fresh basil.
  19. Cut and serve. ENJOY!

Notes

SEE POST!

  • Prep Time: 30 to 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

LET’S GET SOCIAL!

I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!

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Be sure to follow me on social media! I’m always talking food, fashion, and family! I also love sharing some of my favorite Amazon Finds too. Click here to check out my Amazon page! FacebookInstagramTikTokTwitter and Pinterest! THANK YOU!

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