Description
Craving the ultimate comfort food that’s hearty, cheesy, and impossible to resist? Baked Rigatoni Pasta is your answer. With perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta layered in a rich, meaty tomato sauce and smothered in melty mozzarella and parmesan cheese, this easy dinner is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hunting for a quick dinner idea, prepping for a cozy weekend meal, or need a freezer-friendly dish, this easy recipe ticks all the boxes. It’s ideal for everything from busy weeknights to family gatherings—and bonus: leftovers are even better the next day! Serve it up with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal. This baked rigatoni is the kind of food idea you’ll keep coming back to—filling, flavorful, and packed with those classic Italian flavors everyone loves.
Ingredients
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups marinara or tomato sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente, then drain.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until soft.
3. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
4. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Mix cooked rigatoni with a portion of the sauce.
7. Layer pasta and sauce in a baking dish, adding mozzarella and parmesan between layers.
8. Finish with a generous layer of cheese on top.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
11. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For added depth, mix both ground beef and sausage together.
Use fresh herbs and quality cheese for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: easy dinner, pasta bake, comfort food, baked rigatoni