Description
Indulge in this comforting and cheesy Rigatoni al Forno, a classic Italian-American baked pasta dish that’s sure to be a family favorite. With layers of savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and perfectly cooked rigatoni, this hearty casserole is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: Cook the rigatoni in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the meat sauce: In a skillet, heat olive oil, sauté onion and garlic, add meat, marinara sauce, seasonings, and simmer.
- Combine ingredients: Mix cooked rigatoni, meat sauce, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella in a bowl.
- Assemble the dish: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with remaining cheeses.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake, then remove foil and bake until golden.
- Rest and serve: Let it rest before serving, garnish with herbs.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
