Baked Rigatoni


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)

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