Creamy Baked Rigatoni
This creamy baked rigatoni is a rich, cheesy, and comforting pasta dish layered with hearty meat sauce and melted mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or freezer-friendly meals, it’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large skillet or pan
- Mixing spoon
- Baking dish (9x13-inch recommended)
- Oven
Ingredients
- 400 g rigatoni pasta
- 500 g ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cook the rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and cook until soft, add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and ricotta cheese, then mix until smooth and creamy.
- Combine cooked pasta with the sauce and mix well.
- Spread half of the pasta mixture in a baking dish.
- Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Add the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let it rest for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 6 g
