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Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake

A generous serving of baked pasta bake featuring rigatoni pasta, rich red sauce, and a bubbly, browned cheese topping.
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Make this easy cheesy baked rigatoni for a comforting, family-friendly weeknight dinner. This hearty Italian pasta casserole uses simple ingredients to create a rich, bubbly dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

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 beef and cook 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, Italian seasoning, 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 of Parmesan cheese.
  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 a little extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.
  11. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 to 10 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a make ahead pasta bake, assemble the dish completely, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.
  • You can substitute rigatoni with ziti or penne for a similar result.
  • Add 1 cup of cooked, shredded chicken to the meat sauce for a heartier meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/easy-cheesy-pasta-bake-recipe/