Description
A comforting and classic Italian-American baked rigatoni recipe featuring layers of al dente rigatoni pasta, savory ground beef marinara, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C) to prepare for baking the rigatoni.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the rigatoni in salted water until al dente according to package instructions, then drain well.
- Brown Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Combine Sauce: Stir marinara sauce into the browned beef, allowing the mixture to simmer briefly for flavors to meld.
- Assemble Bake: In a baking dish, layer half of the cooked rigatoni, then spread half of the ricotta cheese, followed by half the beef marinara sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat the layering with the remaining ingredients.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add fresh basil leaves layered between pasta and sauce.
- Substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for a spicier, more robust taste.
- Let the baked rigatoni rest 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
