This Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender pasta, a savory meat sauce, and loads of melted cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or a cozy meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minute
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
- Cook Pasta: Boil rigatoni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a pan, cook ground beef/sausage until browned. Add onion, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix Pasta & Sauce: Combine cooked pasta with the meat sauce.
- Layer in Baking Dish: Spread half the pasta mixture in the dish, add dollops of ricotta cheese, then top with the remaining pasta.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot!
Notes
- Swap ricotta with cottage cheese for a lighter option.
- Use spicy sausage for extra heat.
- Serve with garlic bread for a complete meal.
Find it online: https://tastyera.com/cheesy-baked-rigatoni-pasta/