Italian Rigatoni Bake

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There’s something deeply comforting about a bubbling dish of baked pasta, especially when it involves hearty rigatoni, flavorful ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese. Italian Rigatoni Bake is one of those classic recipes that captures the essence of cozy family dinners, lazy Sundays, or those moments when you just want something warm, satisfying, and effortless.

This dish brings together simple pantry staples and elevates them into something incredibly delicious. The pasta soaks up the flavors of the meat and sauce, while the golden cheese topping adds that irresistible finish. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or planning to meal prep for the week, this rigatoni bake will never let you down.

Why You’ll Love This Italian Rigatoni Bake

You’ll love this recipe for its versatility and simplicity. It’s a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing meal that you can make ahead or freeze for later. The flavors are rich and savory, and the texture hits all the right notes with tender pasta and melty cheese. Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or a meal to bring comfort on a busy night.

Can I Use a Different Pasta in This Recipe?

Rigatoni works beautifully in this dish because of its ridges and hollow center, which trap the sauce and cheese so well. However, if you don’t have rigatoni on hand, ziti, penne, or even shells make great substitutes. Just make sure whatever you choose has enough structure to hold up during baking and catch all that meaty goodness.

Ingredients for the Italian Rigatoni Bake

To make this bake hearty and flavorful, you’ll need ingredients that bring comfort and balance. Every component plays an important role in the final result.

• Rigatoni Pasta
• Ground Beef
• Yellow Onion
• Garlic Cloves
• Marinara Sauce
• Tomato Paste
• Italian Seasoning
• Salt & Pepper
• Ricotta Cheese
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Fresh Basil (optional)

How To Make the Italian Rigatoni Bake

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil the rigatoni in salted water until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside. You don’t want to overcook it, since it will continue cooking in the oven.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with diced onions over medium heat until the meat is fully browned. Add minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Stir in tomato paste and marinara sauce. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors can meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Layer Everything

In a large baking dish, spread a bit of sauce on the bottom. Mix the cooked rigatoni with the remaining meat sauce. Add dollops of ricotta throughout, and stir to distribute slightly. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Bake

Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil if you’d like.

How to Serve and Store This Pasta Bake

Italian Rigatoni Bake is perfect as a standalone dish, but it also pairs beautifully with a fresh salad or garlic bread. One casserole serves about 6 to 8 people, making it ideal for family-style dining or leftovers you’ll actually look forward to.

To store, let it cool completely before covering and refrigerating. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze individual portions for easy lunches or dinners later on. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

What to Serve With Italian Rigatoni Bake?

Garlic Bread

To soak up all the saucy goodness, crispy garlic bread is always a favorite.

Caesar Salad

A crisp Caesar salad with homemade dressing adds freshness to balance the rich pasta.

Roasted Broccoli

Simple roasted veggies like broccoli bring color and nutrition to your plate.

Antipasto Skewers

Fun and flavorful, skewers with olives, cheese, and cured meats make a great starter.

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

The sweet-tangy glaze cuts through the richness of the rigatoni.

Classic Caprese Salad

Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil offer a light and refreshing contrast.

Sauteed Green Beans

Quick, easy, and a healthy green to round out your plate.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you loved this baked rigatoni, you’ll enjoy these comforting dishes too:

• Creamy Beef and Shells Recipe
• Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
• Cheesesteak Tortellini in Rich Provolone Sauce
• Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta
• One Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it anytime.

Let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use sausage instead of beef? Did you toss in extra veggies or switch up the cheese?

I love seeing how you make these recipes your own. Questions are welcome too, let’s help each other make dinner time less stressful.

Explore beautifully curated weeknight comfort meals on Mia Recipes on Pinterest and discover your new favorites!

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