Description
A comforting and cheesy baked rigatoni recipe that is perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef or sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms or a mix of your favorite vegetables.
- Add extra flavor by mixing in some chopped spinach or kale into the pasta before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg