Description
Rigatoni al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish featuring rigatoni pasta combined with a rich meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella cheeses, baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a comforting, cheesy pasta casserole perfect for family dinners or gathering with friends.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
Cheeses & Garnish
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the dish later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add rigatoni and cook until just al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté the diced onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook Meat: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through.
- Make Sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and basil. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10–15 minutes to blend flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the sauce and cheese.
- Assemble Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer the pasta mixture into the dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or ground turkey for variation.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to include extra vegetables.
- Use store-bought marinara sauce as a shortcut to save time.
