Description
Baked Rigatoni with Ground Beef and Mozzarella is a hearty and delicious pasta dish that combines rigatoni pasta, savory ground beef, and gooey mozzarella cheese, baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon, about 7-10 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni with the meat sauce, mixing well.
- Transfer half of the rigatoni mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the top. Add the remaining rigatoni mixture and top with the rest of the mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired before serving.
Notes
- For a healthier option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.
- Add vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg