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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni with Meat Sauce

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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni with Meat Sauce is a comforting pasta casserole layered with tender rigatoni, rich tomato-meat sauce, and plenty of gooey melted cheese.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened.
  4. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
  6. Mix cooked rigatoni with meat sauce. Fold in ricotta and half of the mozzarella.
  7. Transfer mixture to baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
  9. Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

  • Use spicy sausage for added kick.
  • Can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking.
  • Try adding sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
  • Freezes well—assemble, freeze, and bake when ready to eat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastyera.com/cheesy-baked-rigatoni-with-meat-sauce-2/