Description
Rigatoni al Forno is the ultimate baked pasta comfort food, featuring tender rigatoni noodles tossed in a rich meat sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and melty mozzarella, then baked to golden perfection. This Italian-inspired dish delivers bold flavors and satisfying textures, making it perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled pasta dish.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until just al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and chopped onion, cooking until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add Sauce and Seasoning: Pour in marinara sauce, then add dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, mix the cooked rigatoni with half of the meat sauce and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese until evenly coated.
- Assemble Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the dish. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese over it and sprinkle with a portion of the Parmesan cheese.
- Layer Remaining Ingredients: Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta mixture, ricotta cheese, and meat sauce. Top everything with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the pasta rest for 5–10 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage for deeper flavor.
- Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for a vegetable boost.
- This dish freezes well; assemble in advance and bake when ready to serve.
