Baked Rigatoni with Meat Sauce

Description
It's a perfect Sunday meal. This sauce isn't your typical tomato saucy meat rigatoni. Please enjoy,it's special enough for Christmas eve dinner too!



Ingredients

 * 2 	 tablespoons   olive oil
 * 2 	tablespoons butter
 * 1 	onion, chopped
 * 1 	carrot, finely chopped
 * 1 	stalk celery, finely chopped
 * 2 	cloves garlic, minced
 * 1/4 	cup chopped fresh parsley
 * 2 	tablespoons chopped fresh basil
 * 1 	lb rigatoni pasta
 * 1 	lb lean ground beef (at least 90% lean)
 * 1 1/2 	teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed
 * 1 1/2 	teaspoons salt
 * 1/4 	teaspoon black pepper
 * 1/2 	cup white wine
 * 4 	cups canned diced tomatoes in tomato puree
 * 6 	tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
 * 1/2 	lb mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions

 * In large pan heat oil& butter over low heat.
 * Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, parsley, basil and cook until very soft, about 20 minutes.
 * Raise heat to moderate, add ground beef, fennel seed, salt and black pepper, cook until no longer pink.
 * Add wine and cook until almost evaporated, about 5 minutes.
 * Add tomatoes with juices and simmer covered for 30 minutes.
 * Stir in parmesan and continue to cook.
 * Preheat oven to 350, and lightly grease 3 quart baking dish.
 * In a large pot of boiling water cook rigatoni until almost al dente, about 12 minutes.
 * Drain, toss pasta with meat sauce.
 * Put 1/2 of the mixture in dish, sprinkle with 1/2 the mozzarella, cover with remaining pasta mixture, and top with remaining cheese.
 * Bake until pasta is hot, about 20 minutes.