When it comes to the ultimate comfort food that’s equal parts creamy, hearty, and utterly satisfying, the Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe truly sits at the very top of my favorites list. Imagine tender pasta tumbling in a rich, savory meat sauce, plush ricotta, and a blanket of gooey cheese—all bubbling away together for an irresistibly golden, melty finish. Whether you’re gathering family for Sunday supper or searching for a foolproof dish to serve a hungry crowd, this recipe promises to warm your kitchen and wow your taste buds with every cheesy forkful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the loveliest things about this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe is that it’s built entirely from familiar kitchen staples, but each plays a pivotal role in bringing out the dish’s signature taste and texture. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few pro-tips and flavor-boosting secrets for every ingredient:
- Rigatoni Pasta: The big tubes catch every bit of sauce and cheese, making every bite delightfully flavor-packed.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle is just enough to sauté your meat and veggies, adding silky Italian richness.
- Ground Beef: Choose 80/20 for the best flavor balance—savory, juicy, and just a touch hearty.
- Yellow Onion: Diced small, it melts into the sauce, giving natural sweetness and depth.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic perfumes the whole skillet—don’t skimp here for that classic Italian aroma.
- Dried Oregano: Adds traditional herby complexity that sets off the tomato sauce beautifully.
- Dried Basil: Lifts the flavor with a soft, sweet aroma made for cozy pasta bakes.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For warmth and a sneaky hint of heat, adjust to your spice comfort zone.
- Marinara Sauce: Go for a good-quality jarred sauce or homemade if you’ve got it; it’s the backbone of all that rich flavor.
- Water: Just a splash helps the sauce meld and evenly coat every rigatoni tube.
- Ricotta Cheese: This is what makes it so silky—use whole milk ricotta for extra creaminess.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The true “cheesy” heart of this recipe—don’t be shy with your sprinkle!
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty saltiness and that perfect golden top when baked.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for boosting and balancing all the flavors.
- Fresh Parsley: A final flourish of color and freshness as your showstopper garnish.
How to Make Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Rigatoni
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil, then add your rigatoni. Cook until al dente—just a couple minutes shy of the package instructions—so the pasta can soak up the sauce in the oven without getting mushy. Drain and set aside, but don’t rinse: a little bit of starch helps everything cling together later.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm up the olive oil. Toss in the ground beef, breaking it up with your spoon as it browns. You’ll want to cook it for about 5 to 7 minutes, until no pink remains and you get those tasty caramelized bits that deepen the flavor.
Step 3: Add Onion and Garlic
Once the beef is browned, add your diced onion and cook everything together for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. When the onions look soft and translucent, stir in the minced garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. This is where your kitchen starts to smell absolutely heavenly—let it all sizzle for about a minute.
Step 4: Sauce it Up
Pour in the marinara sauce followed by a half cup of water. Give everything a good stir, scraping up any caramelized bits from the bottom of your skillet. Simmer for around 5 minutes—just long enough to marry all those flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Bring It Together
Grab a big mixing bowl and add your drained rigatoni, freshly simmered meat sauce, and generous dollops of ricotta cheese. Stir well to thoroughly combine—every piece of pasta should be gloriously enveloped in sauce and cheese.
Step 6: Assemble for Baking
Spoon half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, then sprinkle with half of your mozzarella and half the Parmesan. Layer on the remaining pasta and scatter the rest of your mozzarella and Parmesan right on top, making sure to get every corner ready for bubbling cheese.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover the dish snugly with foil and bake in your preheated 375°F oven for 20 minutes. Then, uncover and continue baking another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is perfectly golden and deliciously melty. As soon as you pull it out, sprinkle the hot rigatoni with that fresh chopped parsley for a touch of color and brightness.
How to Serve Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing completes this dish like a fresh, bold garnish. After baking, shower your Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe with a generous handful of chopped fresh parsley. For a luscious finish, add a few extra shavings of Parmesan, a drizzle of robust olive oil, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice. Each one provides a pop of color and a bright, appetizing flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
This hearty pasta bake shines alongside simple, vibrant sides. Serve it up with a crisp green salad tossed in lemony vinaigrette or a medley of roasted seasonal vegetables. Don’t forget garlic bread or crunchy baguette slices for scooping up every last bit of cheesy sauce—it’s a match made in comfort-food heaven, and brings that irresistible Italian-American restaurant feel right to your table.
Creative Ways to Present
Change up your presentation by portioning the Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe into individual ramekins for fuss-free dinner parties, or pack it up for a shareable potluck treat. Serve straight from the baking dish for homey family-style appeal, or stack up portions onto chic plates with an extra swirl of sauce on the side for a special occasion. However you serve it, those golden cheese edges steal the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers are a gift with this recipe! Store your Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure to use a lid or snug layer of foil to keep it from drying out. The flavors deepen beautifully overnight, and the reheated pasta is just as comforting—if not even more so—the next day.
Freezing
This dish freezes like a dream. Assemble the recipe fully but stop before baking, cover tightly with heavy-duty foil, and freeze for up to two months. For best results, thaw it overnight in the fridge before baking as directed. You can also freeze leftover portions after baking—just spoon them into airtight, freezer-safe containers for quick weeknight meals in the future.
Reheating
To reheat, cover your rigatoni with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until it’s heated through and bubbly (about 20 to 25 minutes for a whole pan, or less for individual servings). For a quick fix, microwave individual portions on high in 1-minute bursts until hot. Add a splash of water or marinara if needed to keep the pasta moist and delicious.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While rigatoni captures the sauce and cheese beautifully, you can substitute penne, ziti, or even rotini in this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe. Just choose a sturdy, hollow pasta shape to hold up to the hearty bake.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Simply omit the ground beef and add your favorite sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach. The cheesy goodness remains, and you’ll have a satisfying vegetarian version of the Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe.
Can I assemble this dish in advance?
Yes, you can! Prepare the Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe right up to the baking stage, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when you’re ready for dinner. This makes entertaining or weeknight meals extra easy.
What’s the best way to keep the cheese topping from sticking to the foil?
Spray the underside of your foil lightly with cooking spray before covering, or tent the foil so it doesn’t touch the cheese directly. That way, your golden topping stays picture-perfect when you pull it from the oven.
Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
Definitely! Swap in your favorite gluten-free rigatoni or pasta. Just be sure to undercook it slightly, as gluten-free pasta can soften more quickly when baked in sauce.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re sharing it with family or savoring leftovers during a busy week, this Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe delivers the kind of cozy, abundant flavors that make memories around the table. Give it a try the next time you crave a cheesy pasta classic—one bite and you’ll have a new staple in your comfort food lineup!
Print
Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Cheesy Baked Rigatoni recipe is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a family dinner. It features tender rigatoni pasta tossed in a flavorful meat sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and a generous amount of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup water
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Brown ground beef in olive oil, add onion, garlic, herbs, and marinara sauce. Simmer.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix cooked pasta with meat sauce and ricotta cheese.
- Layer and Bake: Layer pasta mixture, mozzarella, and Parmesan in a baking dish. Bake covered, then uncovered until golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or ground turkey.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or zucchini.
- Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
