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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta

A hearty, cheesy baked rigatoni pasta layered with creamy ricotta, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella — the ultimate Italian-inspired comfort meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian
Calories: 490
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Rigatoni Bake
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage optional
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil chopped, plus extra for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • 9x13 baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook rigatoni until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil, cook onion until translucent, then add garlic.
  4. Add ground beef or sausage, cook until browned, drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 7 minutes.
  6. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, half Parmesan, and ½ cup mozzarella with herbs.
  7. Layer pasta, ricotta mix, and sauce in the baking dish. Repeat layers.
  8. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes.
  9. Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  10. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with herbs.

Notes

Undercook pasta slightly to avoid over-softening during baking.