Regy's Baked Rigatoni

A deliciously baked rigatoni packed with cheesy goodness and a savory meat sauce, perfect for a hearty dinner.

Regy's Baked Rigatoni

Cook time: 75 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 pinch salt
  • 8 cups rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 0.5 white onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 0 salt to taste
  • 0 black pepper to taste
  • 0 red pepper flakes to taste
  • 0 oregano to taste
  • 8 oz tomato paste
  • 1 cup water
  • 1.5 cups Ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 oz Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 egg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 sheet aluminum foil for covering
  • 1 handful fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Rigatoni pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped white onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Season the beef with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and oregano to taste.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste and 1 cup of water, mixing until well combined. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine the Ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the Parmesan cheese, Mozzarella cheese, and the egg. Mix until smooth and well blended. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked Rigatoni pasta to the dish, then spread half of the cheese mixture over the pasta. Pour half of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese mixture. Add the rest of the Rigatoni pasta on top, followed by the remaining cheese mixture and then the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of Parmesan cheese on top for an extra cheesy finish.
  8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
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