Description
This easy baked rigatoni recipe features al dente rigatoni pasta layered with flavorful seasoned ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and a melty blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a comforting and hearty dinner that pleases a crowd.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 450g rigatoni pasta
Meat Sauce
- 500g ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese Topping
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef and Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Italian Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Combine with Marinara Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Mix Pasta with Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni pasta with the meat sauce until evenly coated.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Bake the assembled pasta for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown around the edges.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty baked rigatoni!
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add dollops of ricotta cheese between the layers before baking.
- This dish freezes well. Assemble in a freezer-safe container without baking, freeze, then bake from frozen adding extra 10-15 minutes to baking time.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley as garnish for added flavor and presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
