Description
Baked Stuffed Rigatoni with Beef & Mozzarella is a delicious and hearty dish that combines pasta, ground beef, and a blend of cheeses, all baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box rigatoni (large size works best)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups marinara or tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, richer flavor)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup ricotta (optional for creaminess)
- ½ cup parmesan
- Extra mozzarella (about 1 cup)
- Parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni: Bring salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente (slightly firm — they will bake more). Drain and drizzle lightly with oil so they don’t stick.
- Make the Beef Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Add onions + garlic and sauté until fragrant. Mix in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt & pepper. Simmer 5–7 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Mix the Cheese: In a bowl, combine mozzarella, ricotta (if using), and parmesan. This becomes the creamy cheese stuffing.
- Stuff the Rigatoni: Use a small piping bag, zip-top bag with corner snipped, or teaspoon to fill each rigatoni with the cheese mixture or beef mixture. You can also alternate half beef-filled and half cheese-filled for extra richness!
- Assemble the Bake: Spread a thin layer of sauce in a baking dish. Arrange the stuffed rigatoni horizontally or stack them. Pour remaining meat sauce around the pasta. Add a generous layer of mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F / 190°C for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and top is golden. Broil 2–3 minutes for extra browning.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and spoon extra sauce around the plate. Serve with garlic bread, green salad, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Baked Stuffed Rigatoni Beef