Description
A delicious and hearty Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Bake that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- While the sauce simmers, cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rigatoni, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer the rigatoni mixture on top, then pour the remaining meat sauce over it. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the dish
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg