Cheesy Baked Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 16 ozrigatoni pasta
- 1 lbground beef
- 1chopped onion
- ½ tspeach salt and pepper
- 1 tspeach garlic powder
paprika, italian seasoning
- ¼ tspred pepper flakes
- 1 tbspminced garlic
- 224 oz jars marinara
- ½ cheavy cream
- 1 ½ cricotta cheese
- 8 ozshredded mozzarella cheese
- dried parsley
- parmesan cheese
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- 2
Heat a pot of water over high heat and boil 16 oz of pasta following the directions on the package. I used 16 oz of Rigatoni, but penne or ziti would also work for this recipe.
- 3
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb of ground beef and a chopped onion. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- 4
Once the ground beef is fully cooked, drain any extra grease and add 1 tbsp of minced garlic. Stir well. Add 2 jars of marinara sauce and 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Stir the sauce together and turn the heat off.
- 5
Pour half of the cooked pasta in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Add half of the meat/sauce mixture to the baking dish and stir the pasta around just to get them all covered in sauce.
- 6
Next, use a large spoon to drop about 1 1/2 cups of ricotta cheese all over the first layer of the pasta.
- 7
Top the ricotta cheese with half of the shredded mozzarella. Add the rest of the pasta, meat/sauce mixture, and the rest of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- 8
Bake in the oven at 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes uncovered. Once the cheese is golden brown and bubbling, it’s time to eat! Top with dried parsley and some Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Cheesy Baked Rigatoni
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 6 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Looking for the ultimate comfort food that’s both incredibly satisfying and easy to prepare? This Cheesy Baked Rigatoni recipe delivers big on flavor, making it a perfect hearty dinner that feels like a special occasion without the fuss.
What makes this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni truly special is the thoughtful combination of a rich, savory ground beef marinara sauce with creamy ricotta and generous layers of gooey mozzarella, all perfectly coating hearty rigatoni pasta. The blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and a hint of red pepper flakes creates a deeply flavorful base that elevates this classic dish from simple to spectacular. It's designed to be effortlessly delicious, bringing a restaurant-quality experience right to your table.
Prepare for a dinner that feels like a warm hug. Each forkful of this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni offers tender rigatoni pasta enveloped in a robust, spiced ground beef marinara. You’ll find delightful pockets of creamy, mild ricotta cheese melting into the sauce, all crowned with a golden, bubbly blanket of stretchy mozzarella and savory grated Parmesan. The dried parsley adds a fresh, aromatic finish. It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that balances rich flavors with comforting textures, promising a dish everyone will love.
While fantastic as is, you can easily adapt this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni to suit your preferences. Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile. For an extra layer of richness, consider stirring a little more heavy cream into the sauce. Don't have ricotta? A similar soft, fresh cheese could work, though ricotta offers a unique creaminess. Feel free to adjust the red pepper flakes for more or less heat, making it perfectly tailored to your palate.
This Cheesy Baked Rigatoni is ideal for family dinners, casual gatherings, or a cozy night in. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty garlic bread to complete a truly satisfying meal.