Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 pound 90/10 ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (24 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter
Topping
- 3 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- Minced fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the center for even baking.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground Italian sausage, ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook while breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until the meat is fully cooked and the onions are softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add Sauces and Seasonings: Stir in the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, and butter. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until well combined and the butter has melted.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the meat sauce and stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the pasta and meat sauce mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with the grated mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Brown the Cheese: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked rigatoni to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before sprinkling with fresh minced parsley. Serve family-style and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider using a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese as topping.
- Make sure not to overcook the rigatoni in boiling water as it will continue cooking during baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- To make this dish gluten free, use gluten free rigatoni pasta.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian