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–+ servings

Cheesy Beef Rigatoni

Indulge in creamy Cheesy Baked Beef Rigatoni with savory ground beef and rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this easy recipe is ready in under an hour. Explore substitutions and tips for a customizable pasta bake everyone will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • q.s. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tsp salt
  • q.s. black pepper
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Skillet for browning beef and making sauce
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Cheese grater (if shredding cheese yourself)

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente, then drain and let cool.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat, add diced onions, and sauté until translucent.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef, breaking it apart while browning until no pink remains, then drain excess fat.
  6. Pour in marinara sauce, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
  7. Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet, tossing to coat in sauce.
  8. Transfer half of the mixture to the baking dish, sprinkle half of the cheeses on top, layer the remaining pasta, and finish with more cheese.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly, then let rest for 5 minutes before serving and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Feel free to substitute rigatoni with penne or ziti if needed. Ground beef can be swapped for turkey or plant-based crumbles. To make this dish creamier, drizzle olive oil on top of the cheese before baking for a crispy crust. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated gently; consider adding a splash of milk or cream to maintain moisture. This dish pairs excellently with garlic bread or a side salad to balance flavors.
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