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Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake

A thick, cheesy slice of baked pasta layered with meat sauce and ricotta cheese, ready to eat in this amazing pasta bake.
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You need a comforting, family-friendly dinner tonight. This easy baked rigatoni recipe layers tender pasta, rich marinara, and gooey mozzarella for a simple pasta bake everyone will love. It is perfect for busy weeknights.

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 oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rigatoni pasta 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 meat is browned and the onion is soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the minced garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Mix well until smooth.
  7. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, half of the meat sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Toss gently to coat.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
  9. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top layer of pasta. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
  11. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Top with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • For a make ahead pasta bake, assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add about 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • If you want a creamier texture, you can stir 1/2 cup of heavy cream into the meat sauce before layering.
  • You can easily turn this into a chicken pasta bake by substituting shredded cooked chicken for the ground beef.

Nutrition

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