Description
This Beef Rigatoni Cheese Bake is a hearty, family-friendly dinner packed with savory ground beef, tender pasta, marinara sauce, and layers of gooey cheese. A comforting baked pasta recipe that’s perfect for weeknight meals or potluck gatherings. Easy to make and even better the next day!
Ingredients
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Boil the rigatoni in salted water until just under al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add olive oil, diced onions, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened and fragrant.
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes or marinara. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
5. In a greased baking dish, layer half the pasta, then half of the sauce, followed by dollops of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat the layers.
6. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
7. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving to help the layers set.
Notes
Let it cool for 10 minutes after baking to make slicing easier.
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
You can assemble and freeze before baking—great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of dish)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg