Baked Rigatoni with Beef and Mozzarella
A delightful baked rigatoni recipe featuring ground beef and gooey mozzarella cheese, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 40 ounces marinara sauce about 5 cups
- 1 pound dried rigatoni
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until it's just al dente. Drain and set aside. Tip: Make sure not to overcook the pasta since it will continue to cook in the oven.
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Sauté the diced onion until softened, about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned, breaking up any large chunks, approximately 7-10 minutes. Tip: Ensure the beef is cooked thoroughly for the best flavor.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, stirring until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
- Combine the beef mixture with the cooked pasta in a large bowl. Transfer the mixture to a 13x9 inch baking dish and loosely cover with foil.
- Bake the rigatoni at 350°F (177°C) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the mozzarella over the top, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Tip: Adding fresh basil enhances the flavor and adds a pop of color!
Notes
For a twist, you can add a layer of ricotta cheese between the pasta and beef mixture before baking.