This Cheesy Beef Rigatoni is the ultimate hearty comfort food that your whole family will love! With al dente rigatoni coated in a rich tomato cream sauce, flavorful ground beef, and topped with melted mozzarella, this dish is perfect for any weeknight dinner or pasta night.
Why You’ll Love Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Pasta Recipe
- Hearty Comfort Food: This one pan rigatoni recipe is a rich and creamy sauce-based dish that is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
- Crowd Pleaser: The whole family will love the combination of tender al dente rigatoni, savory meats, and cheesy goodness.
- Easy Pasta Dish: This easy rigatoni pasta recipe is a great way to enjoy good food without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Versatile: This rigatoni pasta recipe is flexible. You can substitute ingredients like turkey sausage or add veggies like sweet bell peppers to suit your personal preference.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Yellow Onion
- Ground Beef
- Italian Seasoning
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Salt & Black Pepper
- Pasta Sauce
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Rigatoni Pasta
- Mozzarella Cheese
How To Make Cheesy Beef Rigatoni
Cook the rigatoni pasta in boiling water according to the package instructions until it reaches the perfect al dente texture. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and onions, allowing the onions to cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften.
Next, add the ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Once fully cooked, drain off the excess grease and season with Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper for a flavorful touch.
Stir in a jar of your favorite tomato-based sauce and heavy cream to create a rich and creamy sauce. Add the drained rigatoni noodles to the beef mixture, stirring until everything is well combined.
Top with mozzarella cheese and bake at 350°F for a couple of minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve and enjoy this easy pasta dish!
Tip and Tricks for The BEST Pasta
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Cook Pasta Al Dente: Keep a close eye as the pasta cooks to ensure the rigatoni is cooked al dente. Overcooking can lead to a limp tube of pasta, so drain pasta as soon as it reaches the desired texture.
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Reserve Pasta Water: Save a little of the pasta water before draining to thin the sauce if necessary. It’s a great way to help the sauce cling to the pasta without adding more liquid.
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Bake to Perfection: Topping the pasta with cheese and baking it creates a gooey, cheesy crust. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes to avoid over-baking.
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Pair with a Side Dish: This dish goes perfectly with a big salad, caesar salad, or garlic bread to complete your pasta night.
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Spice It Up: You can easily spice this dish up by adding a few red pepper flakes to give it a kick or swap the beef with hot Italian sausage.
How To Store Leftovers
- Airtight container: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: To reheat, add a little chicken broth before warming to keep the sauce creamy.
FAQ
- Can I use a different pasta shape? Yes! Rigatoni noodles are ideal for this dish, but other pasta shapes like baked ziti or penne work well, too.
- Can I substitute the heavy cream? If you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. While the sauce won’t be as rich, it will still be a delicious tomato cream sauce.
- Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, this is a great recipe for meal prep! After combining the pasta and sauce, transfer it to a baking dish, cover with foil, and store it in the fridge. When ready to bake, just top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees. You might need to add a few extra minutes of cooking time to heat it thoroughly.
- Can I use a different cheese beside mozzarella cheese? Yes! You can use pretty much anything you have on hand. Parmesan cheese or a simple cheddar cheese would pair well with the dish.
If you gave this recipe a try, drop a comment below! I love reading your feedback!
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- ½ Yellow Onion diced
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt & Black Pepper to taste
- 24 ounces Pasta Sauce
- ½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 16 ounces Rigatoni Pasta cooked al dente
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cook pasta per package instructions. In a large skillet over medium-high heat add in the olive oil and onions. Allow the onions to cook for 2-3 minutes. Add in the ground beef and cook until no pink is visible. Drain off all grease and season with Italian Seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
- Add jar of pasta sauce and heavy whipping cream to the ground beef them stir to combine. Add drained pasta to the beef mixture and stir to combine. Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Serve & Enjoy!
This recipe looks great can’t wait to try