Description
This Baked Rigatoni Pasta recipe is the ultimate comfort food featuring layers of rigatoni, rich meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, this hearty pasta bake is easy to make, freezer-friendly, and packed with bold Italian flavor.
Ingredients
16 oz rigatoni pasta
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
28 oz crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Boil the rigatoni in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté the onion until translucent.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add ground beef or sausage and brown completely.
5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
6. Mix most of the sauce with the rigatoni in a large bowl, reserving some sauce for layering.
7. In a greased 9×13 baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce. Add half the pasta mixture, then a layer of mozzarella and parmesan.
8. Repeat layering with remaining pasta and cheese.
9. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
10. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
11. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Always cook your pasta just to al dente to avoid mushiness after baking.
Freshly grated cheese melts better and gives a richer finish than pre-shredded.
Letting the pasta rest before serving helps the layers hold together when cut.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta Bake
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg