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Beef Rigatoni Bake Recipe

Beef Rigatoni Bake Recipe

Hearty baked rigatoni loaded with savory beef, creamy cheeses, and a garlicky marinara sauce. Perfect for a cozy family dinner.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 14 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 1.25 lb ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 3 cup marinara sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 0.5 cup beef broth
  • 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1.25 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.75 tsp black pepper
  • 1.25 cup whole-milk ricotta
  • 2.5 cup shredded mozzarella divided
  • 0.75 cup grated Parmesan divided
  • 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 0.5 tsp granulated sugar optional, to balance acidity

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Boil rigatoni in salted water until very al dente, 2 minutes shy of package time. Drain.
  • Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef, breaking it up.
  • Stir in onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  • Add marinara, tomato paste, beef broth, Italian seasoning, red pepper, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  • Simmer the sauce until slightly thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Toss the drained pasta with the meat sauce. Fold in half the mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
  • Spread half the pasta in the dish. Dollop ricotta over. Top with remaining pasta.
  • Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.
  • Bake until bubbly and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Rest 10 minutes.
  • Scatter parsley over the casserole and serve warm.

Notes

Try half beef and half Italian sausage for extra flavor, or add sautéed mushrooms. For make-ahead, assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate; add 5–10 minutes to bake time. Leftovers keep 3 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Beef Rigatoni Bake Recipe flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.