Description
A comforting and cheesy baked rigatoni recipe featuring tender pasta combined with a rich meat and marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for family dinners and easy to customize for vegetarian or lighter options.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the rigatoni later.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef or Italian sausage until fully cooked. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce, then add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Combine pasta and cheese: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Mix thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
- Assemble the bake: Grease a baking dish and transfer the pasta mixture into it. Spread evenly, then top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the baked rigatoni from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use ground turkey instead of beef or sausage for a lighter dish.
- Omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian alternative.
- Add sautéed vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Mix in provolone or fontina cheese for an even cheesier bake.
