This baked rigatoni recipe is pasta tossed in a flavorful meat sauce, then topped with plenty of cheese and baked until golden brown. A super easy dinner option that’s great for feeding a crowd!
PREPARATION TIME:
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour hour 15 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 35 minutes
INGREDIENTS :
FOR THE SAUCE:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage casings removed
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 24 ounce jar marinara sauce
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
FOR ASSEMBLY:
- 16 ounces rigatoni pasta cooked according to package directions
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- cooking spray
INSTRUCTIONS :
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9″x13″ pan with cooking spray.
FOR THE SAUCE:
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Heat the oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and sausage to the pan. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
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Cook the meat for 3-4 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon. Add the onion to the pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until meat is browned and cooked through and onion is softened.
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Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the marinara sauce and tomato sauce to the pan and bring the sauce to a simmer.
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Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes or until just thickened
FOR ASSEMBLY:
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Toss the cooked rigatoni with the sauce.
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Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared pan and top with mozzarella cheese.
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Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until pasta is bubbly and cheese is melted and browned.
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Sprinkle with parsley. Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve.
NOTES:
- Shred your own mozzarella cheese. Don’t use pre-shredded cheese which often has anti-caking agents that prevent the cheese from melting well.
- Use a high quality marinara sauce. I like Newman’s Own which has a nice complex flavor.
- I use 90% lean ground beef – it has plenty of flavor but is not overly greasy.
- If you can’t find rigatoni at your local grocery store, penne is a good substitute.
NUTRITION:
Calories: 601kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 726mg | Potassium: 863mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 680IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 4mg
