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Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake

Close-up of a bubbly, cheesy pasta bake with a golden-brown crust and a serving on a plate.
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Make this easy cheesy baked rigatoni pasta bake for a comforting, family-friendly weeknight dinner. This recipe layers tender pasta, rich sauce, and plenty of melted cheese for a satisfying casserole.

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 it 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 off any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  6. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and the egg until well combined.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce, and the ricotta mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  9. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top layer. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
  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 to 10 minutes before you serve it.

Notes

  • You can prepare this entire pasta bake casserole ahead of time. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add about 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute half of the ground beef with ground Italian sausage.
  • Add 1 cup of cooked, shredded chicken to the sauce mixture for a heartier meal.

Nutrition

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