Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Bake
A hearty meal featuring tender pasta mixed with seasoned beef and creamy sauce, topped with melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 piece yellow onion, diced
- 450 grams ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 680 grams marinara sauce
- 120 milliliters heavy whipping cream
- 450 grams rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
- 100 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook rigatoni in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve for assembly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the beef. Stir thoroughly to combine and evenly season.
- Pour marinara sauce and heavy whipping cream into the skillet with the beef. Stir to blend into a creamy tomato sauce.
- Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the sauce mixture. Fold gently to ensure all pasta is coated evenly with sauce.
- Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Place in a preheated oven at 190°C and bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is golden and sauce is bubbling.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, try adding some vegetables, such as bell peppers or spinach, to the meat mixture. Using fresh herbs can enhance the dish's taste and aroma. Feel free to use your favorite cheese blend instead of just mozzarella.