Description
This Rigatoni Pasta Bake is a comforting and hearty Italian-American casserole featuring al dente rigatoni pasta baked with a savory ground beef marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼–½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 5 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound dry rigatoni pasta (about 7 cups)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir the ground beef and finely chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion softens, approximately 5 minutes. Drain any excess juices from the pan.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, red chili flakes to taste, and black pepper. Cook this mixture for 1 minute to let the flavors bloom.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary, then set aside off the heat.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil on high heat. Salt the water generously, then add the rigatoni pasta. Reduce to medium-high heat and cook the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente.
- Drain and Reserve Water: Drain the pasta but reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water for later use. Stir this reserved pasta water into the sauce to loosen it slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return the drained rigatoni to the saucepan with the sauce and mix well to coat all the pasta evenly. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the pasta bake. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until heated through and the cheese has melted and started to turn golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, slice, and serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can add extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms when cooking the beef and onion for added nutrition.
- Reserve the pasta water to help bind and loosen the sauce for better coating and texture.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red chili flakes slightly.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for better flavor than pre-grated cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Rigatoni pasta bake, baked pasta casserole, Italian comfort food, ground beef pasta bake, mozzarella baked pasta
