Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, Ground Beef, and Mozzarella Recipe
This hearty Baked Rigatoni recipe combines Italian sausage, ground beef, and rich marinara sauce with tender rigatoni pasta, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly baked to golden bubbly perfection, it’s an ideal crowd-pleaser for family dinners or gatherings, delivering comforting flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 pound 90/10 ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (24 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter
Topping and Garnish
- 3 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- Minced fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the center for even baking throughout.
- Cook Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the rigatoni and cook it according to package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. Drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Cook Meat and Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the Italian sausage, ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned and onions have softened, about 10 minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, and butter into the cooked meat mixture. Cook while stirring frequently until the butter melts completely and the sauce is fully combined, about 3 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the meat sauce and stir thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Assemble Dish: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Evenly distribute the grated mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the dish with foil to keep moisture inside during baking.
- Bake Covered: Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cheese to begin melting.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is lightly browned on top and the sauce is visibly bubbling around the edges.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked rigatoni to cool for 5 to 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. Sprinkle minced fresh parsley over the top for a fresh herbal note and serve family-style for a comforting, hearty meal.
Notes
- For a touch of heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while cooking.
- Using fresh mozzarella instead of shredded can create a creamier texture, though shredded cheese melts more evenly.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking allows the sauce to thicken, making it easier to serve and enhancing flavor melding.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave for best results.
Keywords: Baked Rigatoni, Italian Sausage, Ground Beef, Mozzarella, Pasta Bake, Italian Casserole, Comfort Food