Italian Baked Rigatoni is the heartiest and most delicious way to spend an evening! Each bite of the tender, sauce-scooping pasta is loaded to the max with a rich, sweet, and meaty sauce that uses both beef and sausage to ensure an extra savory and extra nourishing experience! On top is a blanket of mozzarella cheese, a must for any Italian-inspired bake. Italian Baked Rigatoni will keep you warm and happy no matter what the evening holds!
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
For the bake:
- 16 ounces rigatoni, cooked to al dente, according to the package directions
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons parsley, optional, chopped, for serving
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
Step 3 –In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil.
Step 4 –Add the ground beef and the sausage to the pan and season with the salt and the pepper.
Step 5 –Cook the beef and the sausage, while crumbling, until they begin to brown but remain pink in some places, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the onion to the pan and cook until the onion is softened and the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 8 –Add the marinara sauce and the tomato sauce and cook until the sauce reaches a simmer.
Step 9 –Simmer the sauce until just thickened, about 5 minutes.
Step 10 –Toss the cooked rigatoni with the sauce.
Step 11 –Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking pan.
Step 12 –Top the pasta mixture with the mozzarella cheese.
Step 13 –Cover and bake the rigatoni bake for 20 minutes.
Step 14 –Uncover and bake until the pasta is bubbly and the cheese is melted and browned, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 15 –Sprinkle the rigatoni bake with the parsley.
Step 16 –Let the bake stand for 5 minutes.
Step 17 –Serve.
