Description
Craving a cozy, satisfying meal that feeds a crowd? This Italian Rigatoni Bake is the answer. Packed with tender pasta, hearty meat sauce, and layers of melty cheese, it’s the kind of dish that turns any evening into a comfort-filled Italian feast. Perfect as an easy dinner or make-ahead meal for busy nights, this easy recipe is loaded with flavor, incredibly versatile, and a hit with both kids and adults. Add this to your dinner ideas or food ideas list when you want something that’s delicious, cheesy, and straight from the oven.
Ingredients
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Nonstick spray or butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion for 2–3 minutes, then add garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add ground beef (or beef/sausage mix). Season and cook until browned. Drain fat.
4. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, sugar, and seasoning. Simmer 10–15 minutes. Add basil.
5. Mix pasta with sauce in a large bowl. Add 1 cup mozzarella and ricotta (if using). Stir to combine.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13″ dish. Layer half of the pasta, sprinkle with cheese, repeat layers.
7. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10–15 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
8. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta—it continues cooking in the oven.
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
Letting the bake rest helps it set and slice cleanly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: italian rigatoni bake, easy dinner, pasta casserole, food ideas, comfort food