# Pizza Pasta Hybrids This Pizza Rigatoni is a Comfort Food Designed to Be the Best of Both Worlds By M | Published 2015-09-24 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pizza-pasta References: [brit.co](http://www.brit.co/picks/pizza-rigatoni-is-the-ultimate-comfort-food-you-need-to-make-asap/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pizza-rigatoni-is-the-ultimate-comfort-food-you-need-to-make-asap) & [anightowlblog](http://anightowlblog.com/2015/09/one-pot-pizza-rigatoni.html/) This rich pizza pasta recipe by food blog A Night Owl combines the best aspect of both dishes into a decadent hybrid meal. The dish incorporates the noodles and sauce of a pasta that is then baked with more cheesy toppings just like a pizza. The dish features [large rigatoni pasta noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barilla-protein-rigatoni) that cooked along with marinara tomato sauce topped with Italian sausage and sliced pepperoni. Once the sauce and pasta are mixed together in a deep oven-safe dish, the pasta is topped with shredded mozzarella cheese and sliced pepperonis. The entire [pasta is then baked](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creamy-tortellini-bake) to melt the cheese giving it a gooey pizza topping. The dish is served like pasta in bowls and can be enjoyed with a fork. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Hybrid Foods:** Food companies can experiment by combining the best aspects of two popular dishes, creating hybrid meals that are more indulgent and satisfying. - **Comfort Food Reinvented:** Innovation opportunities exist for companies to take classic comfort foods and put a new twist on them, using inventive ingredient combinations and preparation methods. - **Baked Pasta with Toppings:** The concept of baked pasta can be reinvented with new and unusual toppings not typically used in pasta dishes, creating a new category of comfort foods. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food and Beverage:** Hybrid meals have the potential to attract foodies and those who want to try something new, spurring demand for new and innovative dishes. - **Restaurant:** Restaurants can create a signature dish that combines the best aspects of two popular dishes which can attract customers and generate sales. - **Packaged Food:** Companies can capitalize on the trend of hybrid foods and create ready-to-eat packaged versions, offering consumers convenience and indulgence in one meal. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pizza-Inspired Spaghetti Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pizza-baked-spaghetti.md) - [Pizza-Themed Baked Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supreme-pizza-baked-pasta.md) - [Pasta-Inspired Pizza Recipes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spaghetti-and-meatballs-pizza.md) - [Seafood Pasta-Inspired Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clam-fra-diavolo-pie.md) - [Seasoned Rice-Filled Calzones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birizza.md) - [Ramen Noodle-Topped Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kotterifuu-ramen-pizza.md) - [Cartoon-Inspired Pasta Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pasta-pizzas.md) - [Pasta-Paired Pizza Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pizza-hut-trio.md) - [Oven-Baked Pasta Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oven-baked-pasta.md)