Description
Get ready for your new favorite comfort meal! This Italian Rigatoni Bake is a cheesy, meaty, saucy masterpiece that’s perfect for easy dinners, potlucks, or feeding a hungry crowd. Packed with ground beef, tender rigatoni pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, then topped with melty mozzarella cheese—it’s pure pasta bliss. Whether you’re searching for quick dinner ideas, easy recipes, or satisfying family food ideas, this dish checks every box. A must-have for weeknight meals and pasta night lovers!
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
28 oz crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until translucent.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine pasta with meat sauce.
6. In a 9×13 baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella, then repeat.
7. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Cook the pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when baked.
Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing and better texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: easy dinner, pasta bake, Italian casserole, family meals, baked rigatoni