Description

A comforting Cheesy Beef Rigatoni casserole baked with pasta, seasoned ground beef, and layers of gooey cheese. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this dish is hearty, creamy, and always a crowd favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
12 ounces rigatoni pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef for 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat, then stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
In a bowl, combine cooked pasta, beef sauce mixture, cottage cheese, and half of the mozzarella. Mix well.
Spread mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

For best results, cook pasta just until al dente since it continues baking in the oven. You can prepare this casserole ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Leftovers reheat beautifully the next day.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 480
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: cheesy beef rigatoni, beef pasta casserole, cheesy pasta bake, rigatoni recipe