Description
Tender rigatoni pasta tossed in a rich and hearty homemade Bolognese sauce made with ground beef, onions, garlic, and a flavorful tomato base, finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
To Serve
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the rigatoni.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Stir in the marinara sauce and tomato paste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce gently for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the reserved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it slightly. Toss the cooked rigatoni into the skillet, mixing well to coat the pasta evenly with the Bolognese sauce.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For a more traditional Bolognese, add diced carrots and celery along with the onion at the start.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or pork for variation.
- Simmering longer will deepen the flavor; feel free to simmer sauce up to 30 minutes if time allows.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as the starch helps the sauce cling to the rigatoni better.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
