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Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Bake Easy Comfort Food Dinner
Emily

Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Bake

This cheesy beef rigatoni bake is the ultimate comfort food — hearty ground beef simmered in a creamy marinara sauce, tossed with rigatoni, and baked to bubbly perfection under a layer of melted mozzarella.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 16 oz rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • pot for pasta
  • Colander
  • baking dish
  • Mixing spoon

Method
 

  1. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Drain the grease.
  3. Season the beef mixture with Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Pour the marinara sauce and heavy whipping cream into the skillet. Stir to fully combine with the beef mixture.
  5. Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the skillet. Gently stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the sauce.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Remove the pasta bake from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Make it your own by adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms, or swap the ground beef with Italian sausage for extra flavor. This dish also reheats well, making it great for meal prep.