If you’re craving an irresistible combination of gooey cheese, hearty pasta, and crave-worthy sauce, this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe is exactly what you need in your weeknight rotation. With its bubbling, golden top and layers of savory meat sauce and melty cheeses, it’s the kind of dinner that brings everyone running to the table. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for the perfect make-ahead meal for friends, you’ll love how these flavors come together in every comforting forkful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this classic pasta bake are wonderfully straightforward. Every component serves a purpose, from providing rich flavor to guaranteeing the right balance of creaminess, making this dish a surefire favorite.
- Rigatoni pasta: The sturdy shape and ridges hold onto sauce and cheese beautifully, making every bite flavorful.
- Olive oil: Adds a fruity base that coaxes flavor out of the aromatics before you add the meat.
- Onion (diced): Offers mellow sweetness and depth as the aromatic start to the sauce.
- Garlic (minced): Infuses the sauce with savory aroma—don’t skip it!
- Ground beef or Italian sausage: Provides heartiness and a savory, meaty base; choose your favorite.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and ensures your pasta is perfectly seasoned from the inside out.
- Black pepper: Brings subtle warmth and a touch of spice.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that instantly gives the sauce an irresistible, classic Italian touch.
- Marinara sauce (24 oz): The backbone of your sauce—choose a good-quality jar, or homemade for extra points.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds creamy, mild richness that anchors all the flavors together.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into those tempting, gooey cheese pulls everyone craves.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Lends a sharp, salty tang and helps make that golden, bubbly crust.
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional): Brightens the finished dish with a pop of fresh color and herby fragrance.
How to Make Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Cook the Pasta
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready when you need it. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a bit of olive oil. Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the rigatoni until just al dente. This helps your pasta hold its shape after baking. Drain and set aside—don’t overcook, since it’ll bake further in the oven.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic
In a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle in your olive oil and toss in the diced onion. Stir frequently and let the onion gently soften and turn translucent, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic, cooking for just another 30 seconds until fragrant—this step sets up a delicious foundation for your sauce.
Step 3: Brown the Meat and Season
Add your ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through, making sure to drain off any excess fat that gathers. Your kitchen is going to start smelling pretty amazing about now!
Step 4: Simmer with Marinara
Pour in the entire jar of marinara sauce, stirring to combine everything evenly. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for a solid 5 minutes so the flavors meld together. This shortcut sauce tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, thanks to all the savory goodness building up.
Step 5: Mix Pasta, Cheese, and Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine your drained rigatoni with the meat sauce, then add in the ricotta cheese and half (about 1 cup) of the mozzarella. Gently stir to coat the pasta thoroughly—this is where the magic happens, as bits of ricotta and threads of mozzarella cling to each tube of pasta.
Step 6: Assemble and Top
Transfer the cheesy pasta mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the rest of your mozzarella cheese and all the grated Parmesan over the top. These layers create the signature golden, appetizing crust that makes the Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe so hard to resist.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and the cheese is irresistibly bubbly. Let the pasta rest for about 5 minutes out of the oven to make serving easier and give the flavors a chance to settle together.
How to Serve Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or parsley makes a world of difference, adding a burst of color and a subtle freshness that balances the richness of the dish. Don’t be shy—scatter those herbs right before serving for the perfect finishing touch.
Side Dishes
Pair your Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe with a simple green salad tossed in lemony vinaigrette, or some garlicky roasted vegetables. Of course, a side of crusty Italian bread is nonnegotiable, perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce and cheese.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun family-style meal, serve the rigatoni straight from the baking dish with a giant serving spoon. If you’re entertaining, portion it into individual ramekins before baking for a restaurant-worthy twist. You can even top each plate with an extra dollop of ricotta and fresh basil for extra flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers from this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe keep beautifully. Transfer portions to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to four days. The flavors tend to meld and deepen overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch or dinner even better.
Freezing
This dish freezes surprisingly well! Assemble the rigatoni as directed, but hold off on baking. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as you normally would, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, place individual servings in the microwave until hot, or rewarm larger portions in a covered baking dish at 350°F. Add a splash of marinara or a bit more cheese if it looks dry. The cheesy goodness comes right back to life!
FAQs
Can I make the Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble everything up to a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to eat, just bake as instructed, adding a few extra minutes to compensate for the chill.
What’s the best way to avoid mushy pasta?
Be sure to cook your rigatoni just until al dente. Remember, it’ll continue to cook further in the oven, so don’t overdo it during the boiling phase.
Can I use different cheeses?
Definitely! Try a blend of mozzarella, provolone, or fontina for the topping, or swap in cottage cheese for ricotta if you prefer a lighter flavor. This Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe is super flexible.
Is there a vegetarian version?
Of course. Just leave out the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a hearty, veggie-packed version that’s every bit as delicious.
Can I add other veggies?
Yes! Feel free to stir in spinach, roasted bell peppers, or even shredded carrots to sneak in a little extra color, flavor, and nutrition.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason the Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe is a time-tested favorite: it’s the ultimate comfort food with crowd-pleasing flavors and gooey, melty cheese in every bite. It’s perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners, and guaranteed to bring people together. Give it a try soon—you might just find yourself with a new favorite pasta dish!
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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni recipe. Tender rigatoni pasta is tossed in a rich meat sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella, then baked to perfection. This hearty dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, add meat and seasonings, then stir in marinara sauce and simmer.
- Combine ingredients: Mix cooked rigatoni with meat sauce, ricotta, and 1 cup of mozzarella.
- Assemble and bake: Transfer mixture to baking dish, top with remaining cheese, cover with foil, and bake. Remove foil and bake until golden and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving; garnish with basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese or add spinach for extra nutrition.
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and use sautéed mushrooms or zucchini as a tasty alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
