Description
A delicious cheesy baked pasta casserole with rigatoni, ground beef, and rich cheeses that is perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500g Rigatoni pasta
- 500g Ground beef or sausage
- 2 cups Marinara sauce
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- to taste Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil the rigatoni pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened.
- Add ground beef or sausage, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake:
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Substitute the meat with vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for a vegetarian option.
- Use a combination of cheeses for a richer flavor.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow it to set for cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 80mg