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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta

Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta That Will Melt Your Heart

Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta is a comforting dish with savory Italian sausage and ground beef in marinara. Perfect for family gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 pound Rigatoni Pasta Substitute with penne or ziti
For the Meat Mixture
  • 1 pound Italian Sausage Ground turkey works well for a lighter option
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Opt for lean ground beef or a meat alternative
For the Sauce
  • 2 cups Marinara Sauce Store-bought or homemade
  • 2 cloves Garlic Use fresh or powdered based on availability
  • 1 medium Onion Substitute with shallots if desired
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Feel free to use fresh herbs
For the Cheese
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese Consider provolone or dairy-free options
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Optional, use nutritional yeast for a vegan option

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Baking dish
  • Oven

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water for 8–10 minutes until just al dente, then drain.
  3. In a skillet, sauté diced onion and minced garlic in olive oil for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add crumbled Italian sausage and ground beef, cooking until browned (5–7 minutes). Drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning; let simmer for about 5 minutes.
  6. Combine cooked rigatoni and meat sauce in a greased baking dish, folding in half of the mozzarella and parmesan.
  7. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
  9. Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best reheating, use the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until heated through.

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