Description
A cozy, weeknight-friendly Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef made with tender rigatoni, a silky garlic-butter cream sauce, and a melty mozzarella-Parmesan topping. This easy baked pasta is pure comfort food, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni
1 lb ground beef
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups heavy cream
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp Italian seasoning
0.5 tsp kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
0.5 tsp black pepper
0.25 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil; cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. In a deep skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, breaking it up; season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add butter; when melted, stir in minced garlic and cook 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream; simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Add drained rigatoni; toss to coat in the creamy garlic-butter sauce, loosening with reserved pasta water as needed.
5. Transfer to a baking dish; top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
6. Bake at 375 F (190 C) for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Rest 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
Salt the pasta water generously so the rigatoni is seasoned throughout.
Grate mozzarella and Parmesan fresh for the smoothest melt.
When reheating, add a splash of cream or milk to revive the sauce.
Pull pasta at firm al dente so it finishes perfectly in the oven.
Keep the cream at a gentle simmer, not a boil, to avoid splitting.
Adjust salt after adding cheese since cheese adds salinity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop + Oven
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg