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Ultimate Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake

A generous, cheesy slice of baked ziti or pasta bake covered in melted mozzarella and rich tomato sauce.
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Make this easy, comforting Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Bake for a satisfying family dinner. This recipe layers tender pasta with rich sauce and gooey mozzarella, perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (high-CPC phrases: Best Pasta Bake Recipe)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. 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. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then remove from heat.
  6. In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.
  7. In the large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
  8. In a large bowl, toss the cooked rigatoni with the remaining meat sauce until coated.
  9. Spread half of the sauced pasta into the baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  10. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top layer.
  11. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown.
  12. Let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a heartier meal, add 1 cup of cooked ground chicken or turkey to the meat sauce.
  • If you prefer a creamier texture, mix 1/2 cup of heavy cream into the ricotta mixture.
  • This dish reheats well; cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/pasta-bake-ultimate-cheesy-rigatoni/