Rigatoni Pasta Bake

Rigatoni Pasta Bake

from thereciperebel.com
50 min
8 servings

This Rigatoni Pasta Bake is a hearty and comforting casserole made up meat sauce, rigatoni pasta and cheese! Meal prep and freezer friendly.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 5 cups tomato pasta sauce (roughly 2 jars)
  • 500 grams Rigatoni pasta (about 1 lb)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

  1. 1

    In a large saucepan, stir and cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned and onions have softened. Drain any juices released.

  2. 2

    Add the Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper and cook 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Add the pasta sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, for 5 minutes. Set aside.

  4. 4

    Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add rigatoni, reduce heat to medium-high, and cook just until al dente (it will continue to cook slightly in the oven).

  5. 5

    Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain pasta. Stir reserved pasta water into meat sauce.

  6. 6

    Combine pasta and pasta sauce in saucepan. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13" or similar baking dish.

  7. 7

    Cover with a lightly greased piece of foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through.

  8. 8

    **Optionally, cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Bake at 350 degrees F until heated through, about 30-40 minutes.

  9. 9

    Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes, until cheese has started to brown.