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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta

Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta: Comfort Food Magic at Home

Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta is a comforting classic featuring layers of savory sausage, ground beef, and three types of cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Classic Comfort Food
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 pound Lean ground beef
  • 2 cups Marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
For the Pasta and Cheese Mixture
  • 12 ounces Rigatoni pasta
  • 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Garnish
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 cup Fresh basil optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • 9×13-inch baking dish

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Gather all your ingredients and cookware.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the Italian sausage and lean ground beef, cooking until browned—about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes.
  4. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically around 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Fold the cooked rigatoni into the skillet with the meat sauce, then mix in the cheese mixture.
  7. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.
  9. Let the dish cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This dish can be prepared in advance and frozen. Just add extra baking time if cooking from frozen.

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