This Baked Rigatoni Pasta is a hearty, cheesy, and comforting dish loaded with rigatoni pasta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese. It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner or meal for feeding a crowd. With layers of flavorful sauce, tender pasta, and a cheesy topping, this dish is baked to golden perfection!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make and perfect for meal prep.
- Cheesy, saucy, and packed with flavor.
- Feeds a crowd—great for family dinners or potlucks.
- Customizable with different proteins, cheeses, or veggies.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Pasta & Sauce:
- Rigatoni pasta
- Olive oil
- Ground beef or Italian sausage (or both)
- Onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Tomato paste (for richness)
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- Salt & black pepper
For the Cheese Layers:
- Ricotta cheese
- Egg (helps bind the cheese mixture)
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Directions
1. Cook the Pasta:
Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
- Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned.
- Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper until combined.
4. Assemble the Dish:
- Spread a thin layer of sauce in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add half of the pasta, followed by half the ricotta mixture and half the sauce.
- Repeat with the remaining pasta, ricotta, and sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top.
5. Bake:
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
6. Serve & Enjoy:
Let cool for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve warm!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Variations
- Meatless: Skip the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
- Spicy: Use spicy Italian sausage or add extra red pepper flakes.
- Extra Cheesy: Add a layer of provolone or burrata.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta.
- Pesto Twist: Swirl in basil pesto for extra flavor.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked pasta for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or microwave in 30-second intervals.
FAQs
1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
2. What’s the best cheese for baked rigatoni?
Mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta create the best creamy, cheesy texture.
3. Can I use a different pasta?
Yes! Penne, ziti, or fusilli all work well.
4. How do I prevent dry pasta?
Make sure to fully coat the pasta in sauce before baking.
5. Can I use store-bought sauce?
Yes! Choose a high-quality marinara or tomato basil sauce.
6. How do I make this extra creamy?
Mix heavy cream or mascarpone into the sauce.
7. Can I add veggies?
Absolutely! Bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini make great additions.
8. Should I cover it while baking?
Yes, cover for the first 20 minutes, then uncover for 10-15 minutes for a golden top.
9. What’s the best side dish for this?
Serve with garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables.
10. Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Layer the ingredients and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Conclusion
This Baked Rigatoni Pasta is a cheesy, comforting, and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. With rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, this dish is always a crowd-pleaser. Try it today for a hearty and delicious pasta night!
PrintBaked Rigatoni Pasta Recipe
This Baked Rigatoni Pasta is a comforting, cheesy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for family dinners! Made with hearty marinara sauce, tender rigatoni pasta, and gooey melted cheese, this classic baked pasta dish is easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser. Serve it with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Sauce:
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce (or homemade sauce)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
For the Cheese Layer:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
For Topping:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package instructions). Drain and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef (or sausage) until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in marinara sauce, add Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 3: Mix the Ricotta Cheese Layer
- In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and parsley. Set aside.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread â…“ of the meat sauce in the bottom of the dish.
- Add half of the cooked rigatoni, followed by half of the ricotta mixture and ½ cup mozzarella.
- Repeat with another layer: ⅓ meat sauce, remaining pasta, remaining ricotta mixture, and another ½ cup mozzarella.
- Top with the last â…“ of the sauce and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Bake & Serve
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot with garlic bread and a side salad. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble the pasta up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, then bake when ready.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
- Extra Cheesy: Add ½ cup more mozzarella for a cheesier dish.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.