Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta Delight

This Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta is a comforting dish that combines savory Italian sausage, rich marinara, and melty cheeses for a delightful meal.

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Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta, comfort food, Easy Dinner, family meal, Freezer-Friendly, Potluck

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 45

Cooling Time: 5

Total Time: 1

Servings: portions

Calories: 550kcal

Equipment

large skillet
Large pot
Baking dish

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce

1 pound Italian sausage adds rich, savory flavor
1 pound lean ground beef hearty base
4 cups marinara sauce choose a quality one

For the Pasta

3 cups rigatoni pasta holds onto the sauce

For the Cheesy Layers

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for a melty topping
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty kick

For the Seasoning

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning herbal notes
1 teaspoon garlic powder aromatic touch
to taste salt
to taste pepper

Instructions

Cooking Steps

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, brown 1 pound each of Italian sausage and lean ground beef over medium heat for about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Stir in 4 cups of marinara sauce, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook 3 cups of rigatoni until al dente (9-11 minutes). Drain and fold into the meat sauce.
Layer half of the rigatoni and meat sauce in a baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top.
Repeat the layering with the remaining rigatoni, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Choose quality ingredients to enhance the flavor. Avoid overcooking the pasta to maintain texture. Let the dish rest after baking before serving for best results.

Nutrition