Description
Diving into this baked rigatoni pasta brings comfort straight from an Italian kitchen, where hearty layers of cheese, sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta create a simple yet satisfying meal your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Finishing Touches:
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Heat your oven precisely to 375°F (190°C) for perfect baking conditions.
- Boil 1 pound rigatoni pasta in salted water for exactly 8-9 minutes until al dente, following package timing.
- Drain pasta completely in a colander, then return to the same hot pot.
- Stir 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning into the pasta until thoroughly combined.
- Spread your pasta mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring smooth coverage.
- Generously sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese across the entire surface.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil carefully over the cheese layer for extra richness.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese turns golden and starts bubbling around edges.
- Remove from oven and pause for 5 minutes to allow cheese to set and flavors to settle before serving.
Notes
- Check pasta doneness carefully to prevent overcooking, as rigatoni needs to stay firm for the baked casserole.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like provolone or fontina for unique flavor variations.
- Use homemade marinara sauce for a fresher taste, but high-quality store-bought works perfectly fine.
- Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top after baking for added freshness and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 456 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg