Baked Rigatoni

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Baked Rigatoni recipe, a perfect marriage of rich flavors and gooey, cheesy perfection. This dish layers tender rigatoni pasta with a robust meat sauce made from ground beef, Italian sausage, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil. Creamy ricotta cheese blends seamlessly with the sauce, while a generous topping of melty mozzarella and nutty parmesan creates the irresistible golden crust that makes every bite unforgettable. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this crowd-pleasing casserole is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. Serve it piping hot, garnished with fresh parsley, for a dish that’s as visually inviting as it is delicious. Optimize your dinnertime rotation with this baked pasta classic that's guaranteed to satisfy and impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 g rigatoni pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 500 g ground beef
• 200 g Italian sausage, casings removed
• 800 g crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 250 g ricotta cheese
• 250 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 50 g parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let the sauce cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix well until everything is evenly distributed.

Step 8

Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a large baking dish.

Step 9

Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella over the pasta.

Step 10

Add the remaining pasta mixture, and then top with the rest of the mozzarella and the parmesan cheese.

Step 11

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 13

Let the baked rigatoni rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 14

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2723.1 grams (2723.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4291

Total Fat 267.20g	343%
Saturated Fat 119.00g	595%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 906mg	302%
Sodium 7179mg	312%
Total Carbohydrate 240.10g	87%
Dietary Fiber 23.70g	85%
Total Sugars 42.30g
Protein 243.70g	487%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3735mg	287%
Iron 28mg	157%
Potassium 4557mg	97%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.4%

Protein: 22.5%

Carbs: 22.1%