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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 247 reviews

Cheesy Baked Rigatoni is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring rigatoni pasta baked with a rich, flavorful sauce made from ground beef, aromatic spices, marinara, and creamy cheeses. This hearty casserole combines the perfect balance of savory meat, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and a touch of Parmesan for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 16 oz rigatoni pasta

Meat and Aromatics

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic

Seasonings

  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Sauces and Dairy

  • 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Dried parsley, to garnish
  • Parmesan cheese, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with chopped onion and minced garlic until the meat is browned and the onions are soft. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Season the sauce: Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the beef mixture. Stir to combine and cook for another minute to release the aroma of spices.
  4. Add marinara and cream: Pour in the marinara sauce and heavy cream, stirring well. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  5. Mix pasta and ricotta: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni with the ricotta cheese. Gently fold together until the pasta is evenly coated.
  6. Assemble the casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish, spread half of the pasta-ricotta mixture. Pour half of the meat sauce over it, then layer with half of the shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
  7. Bake the rigatoni: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
  8. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with dried parsley and Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

  • For a creamier dish, add more ricotta cheese or a splash of heavy cream to the pasta mixture.
  • You can prepare the meat sauce a day ahead and refrigerate to save time.
  • Use whole milk ricotta for a lighter texture or full-fat for richer flavor.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Gluten-free rigatoni can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.

Keywords: baked rigatoni, cheesy pasta casserole, Italian pasta bake, comfort food, family dinner

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/cheesy-baked-rigatoni-recipe/