About
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 9x13-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.
