Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Baked Rigatoni with Ground Beef Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.3 from 6 reviews

  • Author: Molly
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Description

This Baked Rigatoni with Ground Beef is a comforting, hearty Italian-American casserole that combines perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta with a savory ground beef tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, baked to golden bubbly perfection. It is ideal for family dinners and easy to prepare ahead.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • Kosher salt (for boiling water)

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 4 cups marinara or pasta sauce (jarred or homemade)
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Kosher salt to taste

Cheese

  • 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a similar sized casserole dish, then set it aside.
  2. Cook Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook until just al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. Brown Ground Beef and Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove any excess grease if necessary. Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in chopped garlic, minced fresh basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour marinara or pasta sauce into the skillet with the meat and aromatics. Stir to combine and season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5–7 minutes to meld the flavors.
  5. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Transfer the cooked rigatoni to a large mixing bowl and pour the meat sauce over it. Toss everything well until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
  6. Layer the Dish: Spread half of the sauced pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over this layer.
  7. Add Remaining Pasta and Cheese: Add the remaining pasta mixture on top of the cheese layer. Then finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
  8. Bake Covered and Uncovered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starts to turn golden brown.
  9. Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil or extra grated cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Cooking the rigatoni until just al dente prevents it from becoming mushy after baking.
  • Removing excess grease from the ground beef keeps the dish from becoming too oily.
  • You can substitute Pecorino cheese for Parmesan if preferred for a sharper flavor.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add additional baking time if baking from cold.
  • For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes according to taste.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://recipeglimpse.com/baked-rigatoni-with-ground-beef-recipe/