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Comforting Beef Rigatoni Cheese Bake
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Indulgent Comforting Beef Rigatoni Cheese Bake You'll Crave

This Comforting Beef Rigatoni Cheese Bake is a heartwarming dish that combines rich ground beef and melted cheese for a delightful Italian-American meal.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Resting Time5 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Keyword: Baked Pasta, Cheesy Rigatoni, Comfort Food, Comforting Beef Rigatoni Cheese Bake, Family Meal, Pasta Bake
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 600kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Skillet
  • Baking Dish
  • measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • stirring spoon

Ingredients

For the Pasta

  • 12 oz Rigatoni Pasta Prefer for sauce retention over substitutes like penne or ziti.

For the Sauce

  • 1 lb Ground Beef Swap for ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Provides sweetness and essential flavor.
  • 2 cloves Garlic A must for depth of flavor.
  • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes Forms the base for the sauce.
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste Thickens the sauce and intensifies the flavor.
  • 2 tsp Italian Seasoning Brings herby flavors to harmonize the dish.
  • 1 tsp Salt Essential for seasoning.
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper Adjust to taste.

For the Cheese Layer

  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese Freshly shredded works best.
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese Adds depth of flavor and light crunch.

For Garnish (Optional)

  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley Introduces a pop of color and freshness.

Instructions

Cooking Instructions

  • Boil salted water in a large pot, and add rigatoni. Cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes; drain and set aside.
  • In a spacious skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat, stirring until meat is no longer pink and onions are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes.
  • Gently toss the cooked rigatoni into the meat sauce, ensuring every piece is coated.
  • Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and layer half of the pasta mixture, followed by half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan. Repeat this layering.
  • Cover the dish with foil and place in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Once out of the oven, let the bake rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Serve with a side of crispy garlic bread for the ultimate comfort meal.