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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni with Meat Sauce

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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni with Meat Sauce is a hearty pasta casserole made with tender rigatoni noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted mozzarella, baked until bubbly and golden.

Ingredients

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 parsley or basil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooked rigatoni with meat sauce and ricotta. Mix well.
  7. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the baking dish. Top with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
  8. Repeat with remaining pasta and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  10. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

  • For added flavor, use a mix of beef and sausage.
  • Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated or frozen before baking.
  • Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
  • Letting it rest after baking helps the layers set and improves slicing.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked rigatoni, cheesy pasta bake, rigatoni casserole, meat sauce pasta, comfort food

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