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    Home » Recipes » Beef

    Easy Baked Rigatoni 

    Published: Nov 19, 2024 · Modified: May 11, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

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    Baked Rigatoni is one of my all-time favorite baked pasta recipes. It’s so easy to put together, making it the perfect choice for a busy weeknight. If you love pasta and melted cheese, this recipe is a must-try. Plus, picky eaters and kids enjoy it, too!

    A bowl of baked rigatoni topped with melted cheese and parsley on a table with the casserole dish, some grated, cheese, and shakers.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Baked Rigatoni Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to Make Pasta Bake with Rigatoni
    • Storage Directions 
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Video
    • More Delicious Pasta Dishes
    • Cheesy Baked Rigatoni

    The ground beef is browned with the onion for extra flavor before it’s added to the sauce and rigatoni. I love how melty and gooey the mozzarella gets in the oven—it gives the dish the best texture.

    If you like baked pasta recipes, you will love Lazy Lasagna and Chicken Manicotti Alfredo.

    Why You’ll Love This Baked Rigatoni Recipe

    • Budget-friendly: This is an inexpensive dinner recipe that you can make any night of the week.
    • Great to make ahead: I love preparing this rigatoni bake in advance to save some time in the kitchen.
    • Family favorite: Kids and adults ask for this meal by name!

    Ingredients

    Below is everything you need for the meat sauce and the layers for the baked rigatoni. The sauce is store-bought, which cuts down on the cooking time. Plus, these ingredients are common and easy to find at any grocery store.

    Ingredients for making baked rigatoni arranged on a white surface.
    • Ground beef: I like lean ground beef for this recipe so it doesn’t have a greasy taste. Ensure it is fully thawed if frozen.
    • Onion: The onion adds a subtle sweetness and texture to the ground beef and tomato sauce.
    • Seasonings: I keep it simple and season the beef with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
    • Garlic: You can’t have delicious Italian food without fresh garlic. It adds balance and a delightful aroma as it cooks.
    • Tomato sauce: You can use any brand and variety of sauce that you prefer. I like to go with a classic marinara.
    • Rigatoni: This is essential to call it “baked rigatoni.” However, you can swap it for ziti or penne pasta if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
    • Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts really well. You can also use a combination of parmesan and mozzarella cheese to add a sharp flavor.

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

    Variations

    • Spicy Italian sausage pasta bake: Use ground or sliced hot Italian sausage for a spicy kick.
    • Chicken rigatoni pasta bake: Shredded or ground chicken would be a great alternative to beef in this recipe.
    • Rigatoni ricotta pasta bake: Make this easy rigatoni pasta bake with ricotta cheese by mixing it with Italian seasoning and egg. Then, add dollops of it along with the pasta and meat sauce. Baked rigatoni with ricotta is my favorite variation because it adds an extra cheesy flavor and richness.

    How to Make Pasta Bake with Rigatoni

    To make prep easier, preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. 

    Ground beef and onions cooking in a skillet.

    Step 1: Cook the beef and onions. Heat a large and deep skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft.

    Cooked ground beef in a skillet with seasonings added to it.

    Step 2: Season. Drain the grease and add Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.

    Tomato sauce added to a skillet with cooked ground beef.

    Step 3: Add the sauce. Pour in the tomato sauce and cook it for about 5 minutes. Stir it occasionally.

    Cooked rigatoni pasta added to a skillet with ground beef and tomato sauce.

    Step 4: Combine the pasta and meat sauce. Cook the pasta until al dente, reserve ½ cup of pasta water, and drain the rest. Stir the pasta water into the sauce. Once mixed, gently stir in the cooked rigatoni.

    Rigatoni, sauce, and ground beef in a white casserole dish after baking.

    Step 5: Cover and bake. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Then, cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake it for 20 minutes.

    Shredded mozzarella cheese added to a pasta bake in a white casserole dish.

    Step 6: Uncover and melt the cheese. Take off the foil and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Bake it for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and starts to brown.

    ⭐ Hint: Start your pot of water for the pasta while you are working on the meat sauce. This way, the pasta can start cooking and you aren’t waiting for it.

    If you love easy pasta dinner recipes like this one, you may also enjoy Pizza Spaghetti Casserole or this Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo recipe.

    Baked rigatoni in a white casserole dish after the cheese has melted.

    Storage Directions 

    • Storing: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. 
    • Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.
    • Make Ahead: Prepare the rigatoni casserole 1-2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake and serve it.

    Serving Suggestions

    • These Pizza Dough Breadsticks are perfect to serve with this rigatoni pasta bake recipe. I love dipping them in the extra sauce.
    • Keep it light and make a tossed salad or Mixed Green Salad with Fruit and Nuts as a side dish.
    • A simple veggie side like Sweet Green Beans is great, too.
    • Finish the meal with a delicious dessert like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream or these Golden Crisp Squares.
    A stack of white bowls with baked rigatoni in the top one and a fork grabbing a noodle.

    Recipe Tips

    • Don’t overcook the pasta: Only boil the pasta until it is al dente or slightly undercooked. Overcooking can cause it to become too mushy, as It will continue to cook in the oven.
    • Drain excess grease: Ensure that you drain as much excess grease as possible after cooking the beef to prevent a greasy texture and taste.
    • Use plenty of sauce: Don’t skimp on the sauce! Use plenty to coat all the ingredients so they don’t dry out in the oven.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is this the same as baked ziti?

    It’s very similar. Rigatoni pasta noodles are wider and have ridges, while ziti is more narrow. Also, traditional baked ziti includes ricotta cheese.

    Can I make it vegetarian?

    Yes! Omit the beef entirely or use plant-based ground meat instead. Even chopped mushrooms work great.

    How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together?

    After you cook and drain the rigatoni, toss it lightly in olive oil so the noodles don’t stick together.

    A spoon pulling out some baked rigatoni with melted cheese from a casserole dish.

    Video

    YouTube video

    More Delicious Pasta Dishes

    • Marry me chicken pasta on a white plate on the table garnished with fresh basil.
      Marry Me Chicken Pasta
    • Bistro shrimp pasta in a bowl.
      Bistro Shrimp Pasta
    • Cheeseburger pasta in a serving dish with a spoon lifting up a portion.
      Easy Cheeseburger Pasta
    • A serving of crockpot chicken spaghetti in a bowl.
      Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    A serving of baked rigatoni with melted cheese in a white bowl.

    Cheesy Baked Rigatoni

    Karin and Ken
    This Baked Rigatoni is a hearty and comforting dinner recipe the whole family will love! It is filled with a rich and meaty tomato sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 9
    Calories 368 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9x13 Baking Dish
    • Strainer
    • Large pot
    • saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1- pound lean ground beef
    • 1 large onion diced
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ tablespoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 5 cups tomato sauce any kind
    • 1 pound rigatoni pasta uncooked
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350F, and lightly grease a 9x13 glass dish and set aside for later.
    • In a large saucepan with high sides, add ground beef and onions and cook over medium heat until no pink remains. Start to boil a pot of water for the pasta.
    • Drain out most of the juices, then add the Italian seasoning, garlic, sea salt and ground pepper and cook for 1 minute.
    • Add the tomato sauce to the pan and cook while stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes, then set aside.
    • Cook rigatoni until al dente and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water once complete. Pour the pasta water into the saucepan and stir.
    • Then add the pasta in, and mix until well combined, then pour into the casserole dish.
    • Cover with foil and bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until heated thoroughly (note: it is helpful to grease the inside of the foil, so the cheese does not stick).
    • Uncover and layer with mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese has started to brown.

    Video

    Notes

    • Don’t overcook the pasta: Only boil the pasta until it is al dente or slightly under. Overcooking can cause it to become too mushy, as It will continue to cook in the oven.
    • Drain excess grease: Ensure that you drain as much excess grease as possible after cooking the beef to prevent a greasy texture and taste.
    • Use plenty of sauce: Don’t skimp on the sauce! Use plenty to coat all the ingredients so they don’t dry out in the oven.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 368kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 25gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 1226mgPotassium: 725mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 768IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 173mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword baked rigatoni, rigatoni pasta bake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Eva says

      November 25, 2024 at 10:41 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great recipe. My kiddo is a picky eater and he went back for seconds! Thank you for the great recipe.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        November 25, 2024 at 10:45 pm

        As always you’re most welcome! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it! We love it too! All the best. Karin

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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