This baked rigatoni recipe makes a wonderful family dinner that everybody goes crazy for.
Talk about ultimate comfort food! This cheesy, hearty pasta deliciousness is definitely a family favorite, and it is perfect for gatherings at the holidays, or anytime. It is super filling and delicious with a meaty sauce and gooey cheese.
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How to make baked rigatoni
First gather your ingredients.
Ingredients
For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to.
To make this baked rigatoni recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- olive oil
- ground turkey
- Italian turkey sausage
- yellow onion
- salt and pepper
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- marinara sauce – homemade or store-bought
- rigatoni pasta
- mozzarella cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley – optional for serving
- Shredded parmesan cheese – optional for serving
If you don’t have rigatoni, a different type of pasta such as penne pasta would make a good substitute. It is similar to rigatoni in that they are both tube-shaped pastas. And in a pinch, any other pasta shapes would work as well.
Making baked rigatoni
First, cook the rigatoni noodles until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Then, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Next, heat up a large skillet or dutch oven on the stovetop to medium heat. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground turkey and sausage and break it up in the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Season the meat with the salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning and stoss and cook for about 4 minutes.
Add the onion to the pan with the meat and cook everything for 4-5 more minutes. Add the sauce to the pan with the meat and toss the meat in the sauce.
Lower the heat to a simmer and let it all cook for 3-4 minutes, then remove the sauce from the heat.
Place the cooked pasta into a large bowl then pour the sauce over the pasta and toss it all together to coat the pasta in the sauce.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out in an even layer. Top it with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake it in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, uncover the rigatoni and bake it for 15-20 more minutes, until the cheese is nice and melted and the edges and top are lightly golden.
Serve hot topped with chopped parsley or fresh basil and shredded parmesan cheese, plus a side of garlic bread.
I hope y’all enjoy this baked rigatoni recipe! Be sure and let me know if you try it.
Storage and leftovers
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container.
How long is baked rigatoni good in the fridge? About 3 to 5 days is a safe bet. Always use common sense and good judgement. If something looks or smells funky, don’t eat it.
How long is bake rigatoni good in the freezer? 1 to 3 months is a safe bet, as long it is in an airtight container. I would recommend freezing the pasta mixture prior to topping with cheese, and prior to baking. Fully thaw prior to baking. Then top with the cheese, and bake as usual.
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- Chicken carbonara
- Easy cajun jambalaya pasta
- Shrimp scampi linguine
- Pasta e fagioli soup
- Tortellini pasta salad
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Baked Rigatoni
This baked rigatoni recipe makes a hearty, delicious and wonderful family dinner that everybody goes crazy for.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 pound italian turkey sausage – casings removed
- ⅔ cup diced yellow onion
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
- 32 ounces marinara sauce – homemade or store-bought
- 16 ounces rigatoni pasta – cooked until al dente
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley – optional for serving
- Shredded parmesan cheese – optional for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat up a large skillet or dutch oven on the stovetop to medium heat. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground turkey and sausage and break it up in the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula. Season the meat with the salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning and stoss and cook for about 4 minutes. Add the onion to the pan with the meat and cook everything for 4-5 more minutes.
- Add the sauce to the pan with the meat and toss the meat in the sauce. Lower the heat to a simmer and let it all cook for 3-4 minutes, then remove the sauce from the heat.
- Place the cooked pasta into a large bowl then pour the sauce over the pasta and toss it all together to coat the pasta in the sauce. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out in an even layer. Top it with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake it in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, uncover the rigatoni and bake it for 15-20 more minutes, until the cheese is nice and melted and the edges and top are lightly golden.
- Serve hot topped with chopped parsley and shredded parmesan cheese.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator, and is based on 8 servings.
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