Baked Rigatoni with Meat Sauce and Cheese
A classic baked rigatoni dish layered with rich meat sauce and melted cheese.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It is a timeless comfort food that feeds a crowd and delivers bold Italian-inspired flavors.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Rigatoni pasta
Ground beef
Onion
Garlic
Tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Olive oil
Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese
Salt
Black pepper
directions
Cook rigatoni until al dente.
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, then add beef and cook until browned.
Stir in tomato sauce and paste and simmer.
Combine pasta with sauce and transfer to a baking dish.
Top with cheeses and bake at 190°C for 25 minutes.
Servings and timing
Servings: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Variations
Add ricotta for creaminess.
Use Italian sausage instead of beef.
storage/reheating
Refrigerate for up to four days.
Reheat in the oven or microwave.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate before baking.
Can I freeze baked rigatoni?
Yes, freeze for up to two months.
What cheese melts best?
Mozzarella provides the best melt.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes, bell peppers or spinach work well.
Is rigatoni required?
Penne or ziti can be substituted.
Can I make it spicy?
Add chili flakes to the sauce.
Is this dish kid-friendly?
Yes, it is mild and familiar.
Can I use store-bought sauce?
Yes, enhance it with garlic and herbs.
Should I cover while baking?
Cover initially, then uncover to brown the cheese.
Can I reduce the cheese?
Yes, adjust according to preference.
Conclusion
Baked rigatoni with meat sauce is a dependable, satisfying dish that never goes out of style.
PrintBaked Rigatoni with Meat Sauce and Cheese
A classic oven-baked rigatoni dish layered with savory meat sauce and plenty of melted cheese, ideal for a cozy family dinner or gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente; drain well.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened.
- Add garlic and ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Combine the cooked rigatoni with the meat sauce in a large bowl.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture, then top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for beef.
- Add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for extra flavor.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and baked when needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: baked rigatoni, cheesy pasta bake, meat sauce pasta, Italian casserole
