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Ultimate Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni

Close-up of a hearty portion of baked ziti style pasta bake with rich meat sauce and melted cheese topping.
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Make this simple, hearty baked rigatoni casserole for a satisfying family dinner. This recipe uses basic ingredients to create a comforting, cheesy pasta bake.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then remove from heat.
  6. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese until combined.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, and the ricotta mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  9. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and extra Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
  11. Let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if you use it.

Notes

  • For a creamier texture, substitute half of the marinara sauce with a can of drained diced tomatoes or a splash of heavy cream in the sauce mixture.
  • If you prefer a different pasta shape, ziti or penne work well in this recipe.
  • You can prepare the entire casserole up to the baking step one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/easy-cheesy-pasta-bake-rigatoni/