Baked Rigatoni
This baked rigatoni recipe is a comforting, crowd-pleasing pasta dish made with tender rigatoni, rich tomato meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and layers of melted cheese. Baked until bubbly and golden, this easy pasta bake is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- Rigatoni pasta
- Ground beef or Italian sausage
- Onion, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Marinara sauce
- Tomato paste
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Egg
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onion until softened. Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer briefly.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Spread a layer of sauce in a baking dish, then add half the pasta.
- Dollop half the ricotta mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Repeat layers with remaining pasta, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
Cook pasta just to al dente—it will finish in the oven.Use plenty of sauce to keep the dish moist.Let it rest a few minutes before serving for easier slicing.
Find it online: https://cookibly.com/baked-rigatoni/
