Cheesy and Saucy Baked Rigatoni with Ground Beef

Name: Cheesy and Saucy Baked Rigatoni with Ground Beef
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 ounces Rigatoni (uncooked); 4 ounces Cherry tomatoes; 4 ounces Mini mozzarella balls; 3 tablespoons Basil (torn); 1 1/2 cups Water; 1 tablespoon Olive oil; 1 pound Ground beef; 12 ounces Marinara; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; to taste Salt (to taste); to taste Pepper (to taste); 2 cups Mozzarella cheese (shredded)

This recipe offers a fun and delicious way to prepare rigatoni, resulting in a dish that's extra cheesy and saucy. It combines tender rigatoni, savory ground beef, sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and generous amounts of mozzarella cheese, all baked to golden perfection. A comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

#Pasta

#Rigatoni

#Baked Pasta

#Ground Beef

#Mozzarella

#Marinara

#Italian-American

#Comfort Food

#Dinner

#Easy Meal

#Family Meal

Prepared ingredients for assembly

Recipe Information

20m

Prep Time

45m

Cook Time

1h 5m

Total Time

Servings

Medium

Italian-American

English

Nutrition (per serving)

550

Calories

35g

Protein

50g

Carbs

25g

Fat

Layered pasta with tomatoes and mini mozzarella

Ingredients

Servings: 6

💡 Tip: Check off ingredients as you add them to keep track of your progress!

Ground beef and marinara sauce simmering

Instructions

0/8 completed

1
Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Lightly grease an 8x11-inch baking dish.
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5m
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Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Lightly grease an 8x11-inch baking dish.
5m
Ensure your baking dish is oven-safe and large enough for all ingredients.
2
Place the uncooked rigatoni in the prepared baking dish. Add the cherry tomatoes to one half of the pasta and the mini mozzarella balls to the other half. Sprinkle with torn basil.
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5m
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Place the uncooked rigatoni in the prepared baking dish. Add the cherry tomatoes to one half of the pasta and the mini mozzarella balls to the other half. Sprinkle with torn basil.
5m
Distribute tomatoes and mozzarella evenly for best flavor.
3
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
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8m
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
8m
Make sure to brown the beef thoroughly for richer flavor.
4
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, water, salt, and pepper into the browned ground beef. Bring to a simmer.
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3m
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Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, water, salt, and pepper into the browned ground beef. Bring to a simmer.
3m
Taste and adjust seasoning after adding marinara.
5
Pour the hot meat sauce mixture evenly over the pasta, tomatoes, and mozzarella in the baking dish. Ensure the pasta is mostly submerged.
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2m
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Pour the hot meat sauce mixture evenly over the pasta, tomatoes, and mozzarella in the baking dish. Ensure the pasta is mostly submerged.
2m
Gently push down pasta if needed to ensure it's covered by the sauce, which helps it cook evenly.
6
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
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25m
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Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
25m
Covering prevents the pasta from drying out while cooking.
7
Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the top, and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
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20m
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Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the top, and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
20m
For a crispier cheese topping, you can finish with a few minutes under the broiler, watching carefully.
8
Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
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10m
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Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
10m
Resting makes it easier to serve and prevents the dish from falling apart.