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Beef Rigatoni Cheese Bake

Creamy Beef Rigatoni Cheese Bake for Cozy Family Nights

This Creamy Beef Rigatoni Cheese Bake is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family dinners, featuring rich marinara and gooey cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz Rigatoni Can substitute with penne or ziti.
For the Meat Mixture
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Can swap with ground turkey or plant-based alternative.
  • 1 medium Onion Chopped; shallots or leeks can be used as alternatives.
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder Or use 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic.
  • 1 tbsp Italian Herb Blend Consider using dried oregano, basil, or thyme.
For the Sauce
  • 24 oz Marinara Sauce Store-bought or homemade; Alfredo sauce can be substituted.
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Can be substituted with half-and-half or dairy-free option.
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil Can use vegetable or avocado oil.
For Topping
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese Can substitute with cheese blends or dairy-free alternatives.
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • large skillet
  • Casserole dish

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in garlic powder and Italian herb blend, mixing well and cooking for another minute.
  5. Pour in marinara sauce and heavy cream, stirring well. Simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce, mixing until well coated.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer mixture to a greased casserole dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg

Notes

This dish can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Add extra time for baking if chilled.

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