Description
Easy Baked Rigatoni with Ground Beef is a comforting Italian-American pasta casserole featuring tender rigatoni pasta baked with savory ground beef, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and a generous blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This simple, hearty dish is perfect for a family dinner or crowd-pleasing meal that can be prepared ahead or frozen for convenience.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
Cheese
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the rigatoni casserole.
- Cook Rigatoni: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the rigatoni pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, then drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper for flavor.
- Add Marinara: Pour in the marinara sauce and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni pasta with the meat sauce and ricotta cheese, mixing well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve warm for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of ground beef for a different flavor.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat if desired.
- Use whole-milk ricotta for a richer and creamier texture.
- The casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- This dish freezes well both before and after baking, making it ideal for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
