Here’s a comforting, hearty recipe for Rigatoni Pasta with Beef and Cheese—think cheesy baked pasta with rich, savory flavor. 🍝🧀🥩
🥘 Ingredients (serves 4–6)
- 12 oz (340 g) rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
🥄 Instructions
- Cook the pasta
Boil rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Cook the beef
In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened. - Add sauce & seasoning
Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5–10 minutes to blend flavors. - Combine pasta & sauce
Mix cooked rigatoni into the beef sauce until evenly coated. - Add cheese & bake (optional)
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Transfer pasta mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot with garlic bread if desired.
✨ Tips
- For extra richness, stir ¼ cup heavy cream or cream cheese into the sauce before combining with pasta.
- Add veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for more flavor and nutrition.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3–4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
If you want, I can also give a one-pan skillet version that doesn’t require baking—ready in under 30 minutes. Do you want me to do that?
