Description
Baked Rigatoni is a comforting and cheesy pasta bake featuring tender rigatoni noodles coated in a rich tomato sauce layered with gooey mozzarella and sharp parmesan cheese, enhanced by Italian herbs and aromatics. This versatile and family-friendly dish is easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, with options to customize proteins, veggies, or cheese to your preference.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups tomato sauce (marinara or homemade)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (blend of oregano and basil)
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Optional Variations
- Cooked Italian sausage or ground beef (for meat lovers)
- Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted peppers (for vegetarian)
- Red pepper flakes or spicy arrabbiata sauce (for spicy kick)
- Ricotta or fontina cheese (for creamier layers)
- Gluten-free pasta (for gluten-free option)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente, usually 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet, warm the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. Add the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning, then simmer gently to let the flavors meld while the pasta cooks.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the drained rigatoni into the sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated. This creates a flavorful base that will soak into the layers as it bakes.
- Assemble with Cheese: In a baking dish, layer half of the saucy rigatoni, then sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top generously with more cheese for a perfect golden finish.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly under al dente to finish cooking evenly in the oven without becoming mushy.
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella cheese for better melting and texture.
- Add herbs and seasoning directly to the sauce for deeper, richer flavor layers.
- Let the baked rigatoni rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to set the layers.
- Use a ceramic or glass baking dish to help the pasta cook evenly and brown nicely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: baked rigatoni, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food, Italian pasta, rigatoni casserole, easy dinner, family meal
