Description
Layers of tender rigatoni pasta, rich beef ragu sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese come together in this irresistibly comforting Baked Rigatoni Stuffed with Beef Ragu & Mozzarella dish. Perfect for cozy family dinners or entertaining guests, this baked pasta recipe is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
– 1 pound rigatoni pasta
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
– 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
4. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the beef ragu sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
6. In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked rigatoni. Top with half of the beef ragu sauce, and then half of the mozzarella cheese.
7. Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
10. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
This baked rigatoni dish can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use. Simply assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator (if frozen) and bake according to the instructions.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Pasta & Noodles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian