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Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake

A thick, square slice of baked pasta layered with rich meat sauce and melted, browned cheese, ready to eat in this amazing pasta bake.
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Make this easy cheesy baked rigatoni pasta bake for a comforting, family-friendly weeknight dinner. This recipe layers tender pasta with rich sauce and gooey cheese for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

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

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, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
  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, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  11. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute half the ground beef with Italian sausage.
  • You can assemble this entire dish ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the fridge.
  • Serve this hearty Italian pasta casserole with garlic bread and a simple green salad.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/easy-cheesy-pasta-bake-rigatoni/