Print

Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake

A generous slice of creamy, cheesy pasta bake with a perfectly browned, bubbly top crust.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

You need a comforting, family-friendly dinner that delivers big flavor without complicated steps. This Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake uses rich marinara and layers of gooey cheese to create the ultimate weeknight casserole.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar quality marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk 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 it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, 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, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then remove from the 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 half (1 cup) of the mozzarella cheese. Stir gently until everything is coated.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 to 10 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute half of the ground beef with ground Italian sausage.
  • You can prepare this entire dish, cover it, and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • If you want a creamier texture, stir 1/4 cup of heavy cream into the ricotta mixture.

Nutrition

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