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This freezer-friendly, make-ahead Rigatoni Pasta Bake, which is made with rigatoni pasta, meat sauce, and lots of cheese, is sure to become a staple on your menu.
When a 1-year-old is strapped to one hip and a package of ground beef is in the other, you have… zero free hands and it’s 4:59 pm.
The answer? This Rigatoni Pasta Bake. This pasta bake is your new favorite casserole because it’s made with al dente rigatoni pasta, a hearty tomato sauce with ground beef, and tons of cheese.
Casseroles, in my opinion, have a bad rap, but in actuality, they’re a busy mom’s best friend. All the food groups—protein, vegetables, dairy, and carbohydrates—can be found in a single dish. You can add a ton of flavor and covertly include a variety of foods that your children wouldn’t typically eat. You can prepare it when you have the time, store it in the refrigerator or freezer, and then bake it whenever you need it. So simple, so flavorful, and so easy!.
You can really add anything you want because this recipe is so versatile. See the “Variations and Substitutions” section below for more information on how you can modify and expand upon this basic recipe to suit the needs and preferences of your family. (Note: Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the complete recipe card with amounts. ).
Tips For The Best Baked Rigatoni
Rigatoni is straightforward and basic, but a few tricks can transform it into something amazing.
One of those fantastic recipes that you can prepare ahead of time actually improves in flavor as it sits and the flavors meld together.
Best Ever Baked Rigatoni and More!
This spicy sausage rigatoni will appeal to you if you enjoy foods with a little heat and spice.
You’ll adore its flavorful, flavorful sausage chunks and tender pasta.
The combination of red wine, tomatoes, herbs, and Italian dressing results in a delicious, rich sauce.
Add some grated parmesan and fresh basil on top for some additional flavor and color, and you’re done.
This baked rigatoni recipe and my baked ziti recipe are very similar.
Both use oozing mozzarella, spicy onions and garlic, and ground beef and Italian sausage for protein.
The main distinction between this recipe and mine for ziti is that this one calls for both tomato and marinara sauces and substitutes rigatoni for ziti (obviously). (I use only marinara in the ziti. ).
They are both filling and delicious, and you can use either type of pasta in either recipe.
Using ziti will feel slightly different because there won’t be any pasta ridges.
Additionally, each noodle won’t hold as much sauce. But again, in a pinch, you can use either one.
I love skillet meals because they’re so quick and straightforward.
For instance, this one is completed in just 30 minutes. Less than ten ingredients total, including salt and pepper.
Olive oil, garlic, mushrooms, your preferred pasta sauce, spinach, ricotta, rigatoni, parmesan, and mozzarella are all you’ll need.
It’s a cheesy, vegetarian-friendly dish that tastes a lot like lasagna but comes together much more quickly.
The dish is completed by the wild flavor that the mushrooms and spinach add.
Okay, so it takes some time to prepare the Greek pasta bake. Let’s get that out of the way upfront.
Preparation takes about 40 minutes, and baking takes an additional hour.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that you’ve never experienced a taste like it in your life, though.
It’s ridiculously good and unique. There are just so many flavors!.
You’ll get savory heartiness from the beef and lamb. The dish gains some umami flavor from the addition of the onions, garlic, and a few other herbs.
The tanginess comes from the feta cheese, lemon juice, and other herbs. But the tastebud explosion doesn’t stop there!.
It even pulls in sweetness with sugar and cinnamon!
You can visit the best restaurant in your city, but I can assure you that you won’t find anything as intricate and extraordinary as this pasta bake.
Try this 30-minute pasta instead if you simply don’t have 1 or 2 hours to prepare dinner.
Aside from the amount of carbs, it’s light and zesty and generally healthy for you.
Even though there is no meat present and only artichokes, olives, pasta, and peas, it is surprisingly filling.
Additionally, it has a flavor that is bright and tangy and is ideal for patio dinners in the summer.
If you enjoy tomato cream sauce as much as I do, you already know that your dinner guests will love this dish.
It comes with tender, chewy pasta and a rich, creamy sauce, and it only takes 25 minutes to prepare and cook. It’s cheesy, tomatoey, and vegetarian-friendly.
Additionally, it’s easy to prepare, so if you’re a novice cook looking for a dish to impress your family, this is a good option.
This recipe for creamy lemon pasta is for you if you enjoy tangy, almost tart pasta.
It’s another simple 25-minute pasta that’s perfect for vegetarians.
The sauce is rich and creamy, and the parmesan and butter add a hint of decadence. The zinginess of the lemon juice and zest helps to temper the sauce’s decadence a little.
It is also a colorful dish that would be perfect for any summer meal.
Another pasta that requires some preparation time—about an hour and 20 minutes—but only calls for a handful of simple ingredients, is pasta alla Norma.
As the foundation, you’ll use a crispy, fried eggplant, and then top it with cheese, pasta, and a herby tomato sauce.
Give pasta alla Norma a try if you’re looking for a dish that has a wonderful presentation and a fantastic taste. It’s one of those dishes that looks as good as it tastes.
This vegetarian-friendly pasta is spicy, saucy, and scrumptious.
Additionally, it only calls for eight basic ingredients, most of which are already in your pantry.
You can prepare this in just 20 minutes using only rigatoni, olive oil, tomato sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, water, parsley, and parmesan.
You can serve this Greek pasta salad right off the stove after only 30 minutes of preparation.
However, I advise chilling it first if you’re looking for a cool pasta salad dish for the summer.
(It should work if you put it in the fridge for about an hour. ).
Another straightforward pasta dish that requires little work is this one.
Rigatoni, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and red onion are all that are required for the salad itself.
The majority of the flavor in this dish comes from the marinade or dressing, so make sure you get that right.
It’s zesty and just a bit tart. You’ll love it.
What is rigatoni pasta used for?
The ridges on the outside of the hearty, tube-shaped pasta known as rigatoni help the sauce stick to the noodles. Rigatoni holds up well to thicker sauces like cream sauces or chunky tomato sauces and is excellent for baked pasta dishes. Penne is a suitable alternative to rigatoni if you can’t find it at your local grocery store.
FAQ
What is rigatoni for?
Because of their ridges and wide centers, rigatoni are ideal for thicker, chunkier sauces. This also helps them contain meats and large vegetables. Because they can hold on to cheese well, rigatoni also function well in baked pasta dishes. Typically, rigatoni are associated with southern Italian cuisine.
What do you eat with rigatoni?
- 1 of 18 Pesto Caesar Salad.
- 2 of 18 Mint and Pea Pesto on Toasted Baguette.
- 3 of 18 Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Anchovy.
- 4 of 18 Garlicky Sautéed Mushrooms.
- 5 of 18 Arugula Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette.
- 6 of 18 Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Garlic, and Shallots.
- 7 of 18 Hot Bacon Caprese Salad.
What can I do with a box of noodles?
- Pasta Salad. A large bowl of pasta salad is the epitome of summertime.
- Rigatoni Alla Vodka. No sauce? …
- Mac & Cheese. To make the ultimate comfort food, use the extra box of macaroni or cavatappi!
- Caesar Salad. …
- Skillet Lasagna. …
- Stir-Fry.
Are rigatoni noodles healthy?
Rigatoni in a spicy sauce is delicious, but it’s not always the healthiest option. Up to 952 calories, 59 grams of fat, 89 grams of carbohydrates, and only 16 grams of protein can be found in one serving of spicy rigatoni.
