Description
This Cheesy Baked Rigatoni is a comforting and hearty Italian-American casserole featuring perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta layered with a savory ground beef marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to golden perfection, this dish is ideal for family dinners or potlucks, delivering rich flavors with a cheesy, bubbly crust.
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
Cheese 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. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Season the meat mixture with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic, marinara sauce, and heavy cream. Turn off the heat and mix thoroughly to combine.
- Layer Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Begin layering the casserole by spreading half of the cooked rigatoni on the bottom. Next, add half of the meat sauce evenly over the pasta. Dollop and spread all of the ricotta cheese over the sauce, then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella on top. Repeat the layering process with the remaining rigatoni, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven. Garnish with dried parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation. Serve hot and enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish.
Notes
- You can prepare the meat sauce a day ahead to save time on the day of baking.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use a plant-based meat substitute or additional vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- This dish can be assembled in advance and refrigerated for a few hours before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
