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Ultimate Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta

A close-up of a thick slice of baked pasta bake with rigatoni pasta, rich sauce, and melted, stretching mozzarella cheese.
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Make this ultimate cheesy baked rigatoni for a comforting, family-friendly dinner. This simple pasta bake layers tender pasta with rich marinara and plenty of gooey cheese for a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (optional, for a heartier meal)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (your favorite jarred or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. If using ground beef, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the meat sauce mixture, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
  7. 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.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the top layer. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese.
  9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned. If you want a darker top, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
  10. Let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy this easy pasta bake recipe!

Notes

  • You can substitute rigatoni with ziti or penne for a similar baked ziti casserole experience.
  • For a creamy pasta bake variation, stir 1/2 cup of heavy cream into the marinara sauce before assembling.
  • This dish freezes well; assemble completely, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. Thaw overnight and add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/best-pasta-bake-cheesy-rigatoni-comfort-food/