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
Scale
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
