Baked Rigatoni is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers. It combines rigatoni pasta with a rich tomato-based meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, all baked to bubbly perfection. Here’s a simple recipe to make Baked Rigatoni at home.
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
For the Pasta:
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- Salt, for boiling water
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Assembly:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
