Description
This Cheesy Baked Rigatoni is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta layered with a rich, seasoned ground beef and marinara sauce mixture, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheeses. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 oz rigatoni pasta
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
Cheeses and Garnish
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- Dried parsley, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Brown Beef and Make Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are softened, then drain any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic, marinara sauce, and heavy cream. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Layer Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Begin layering by spreading half of the cooked rigatoni evenly in the dish. Spoon half of the meat sauce mixture over the pasta, then dollop and spread all of the ricotta cheese atop the sauce. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella evenly on top. Repeat with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and mozzarella to form a second layer.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove the baked rigatoni from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with dried parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor.
- For a creamier sauce, increase heavy cream to ¾ cup.
- Ricotta can be replaced with cottage cheese if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta since it will bake longer in the oven to avoid mushiness.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
