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Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta

A comforting Italian-inspired pasta bake with rigatoni, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and layers of melty cheese — perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • 9x13 baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook rigatoni until just al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil.
  3. Sauté garlic in olive oil, then add marinara sauce, seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 5 minutes.
  4. Mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  5. Layer sauce, pasta, cheese mixture, and top with remaining cheese.
  6. Bake covered 20 minutes, then uncovered 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.