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A hand taking a scoop out of baked rigatoni on a wooden spoon.

Easy Baked Rigatoni Recipe

This easy Baked Rigatoni recipe is cheesy, saucy, and full of rich, cozy flavor for the ultimate no-fuss comfort food dinner. It's the perfect meal prep recipe for busy weeknights or for feeding a crowd on the weekends.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 ½ cups Gruyère cheese shredded
  • 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 8 oz ricotta
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for topping
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook the beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
  2. Boil the pasta: Cook the rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well.
  3. Mix the ricotta layer: In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, egg, garlic salt, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss this mixture with the cooked pasta until coated.
  4. Assemble: In a greased casserole dish, spread half of the pasta mixture, then top with half the beef sauce and half of the mozzarella and Gruyère. Repeat layers and finish with plenty of cheese on top.
  5. Bake: Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown on top.
  6. Serve: Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm with garlic bread and a side salad.

Notes

Storage:
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° until warm and bubbly. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
  • You can freeze this pasta bake, too, although the texture of the cooked pasta can change once frozen and thawed. If needed, store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven.