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Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake

A serving spoon lifts rigatoni pasta covered in melted, stretchy cheese from a dish of baked pasta bake.
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Make this easy cheesy baked rigatoni pasta bake for a comforting, family-friendly weeknight dinner. This recipe layers tender pasta with rich sauce and gooey mozzarella.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then remove from heat.
  6. In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese until combined.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix gently to coat the pasta evenly.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  9. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  11. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a make ahead pasta bake, assemble the casserole completely, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • You can substitute rigatoni with ziti or penne for a similar family friendly pasta bake.
  • Add 1 cup of cooked, shredded chicken to the meat sauce for an extra hearty Italian pasta casserole.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheffinity.com/easy-cheesy-pasta-bake-rigatoni/