Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Bake

Featured in Satisfying Main Courses.

Rich rigatoni pasta combines with savory ground beef sautéed with onions and Italian herbs, creating layers of bold, comforting flavor. This bake blends creamy tomato sauce and heavy cream for added richness. After being coated in sauce, everything is topped with shredded mozzarella and baked until golden and bubbly. Each bite offers tender pasta, hearty beef, and warm, melted cheese—perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd. Serve hot from the oven for a delicious, satisfying meal that brings together classic Italian-American ingredients in every forkful.

Barbara Chef
Updated on Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:11:53 GMT
A bowl of pasta with meat and cheese. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with meat and cheese. | gracefulflavors.com

Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Bake wraps up everything I crave in a weeknight dinner with cozy rigatoni pasta loaded with rich tomato beef sauce under a blanket of gooey mozzarella. If you have ever wanted a pasta bake that truly disappears from the table fast this one is family tested and requested for every birthday in my household.

I remember making this for a neighbor’s potluck and she told me it was the first dish completely gone from the buffet I always come home with an empty pan and that is just the best feeling

Ingredients

  • Olive oil: lends a savory depth to the base choose extra virgin for the best flavor
  • Yellow onion: brings sweetness and rounds out the beef try to pick a firm onion with papery skin
  • Ground beef: provides heartiness lean beef will keep the bake lighter but still rich
  • Italian seasoning: infuses classic herby notes I like blends with oregano and basil
  • Onion powder: boosts the savory kick double up if you love strong onion
  • Garlic powder: adds easy aromatic flavor look for fresh powder without clumps
  • Salt: heightens all the other flavors use kosher for a cleaner taste
  • Black pepper: adds mild heat and brightness
  • Marinara sauce: brings in tangy tomato richness try to pick a jarred sauce with minimal added sugar
  • Heavy whipping cream: turns the tomato sauce velvety I love using local dairy for a robust taste
  • Rigatoni pasta: offers the perfect shape to trap sauce cook just to al dente so it holds up in the oven
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: delivers signature meltiness and golden browning grate your own for best pull

Step-by-Step Instructions

Boil the Pasta:
Cook rigatoni in boiling salted water following the package instructions until just al dente Drain thoroughly and set aside so it does not continue to cook
Sauté Onion and Beef:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high Once shimmering add diced onion and soften for two or three minutes Stir in the ground beef breaking it up with a wooden spoon Cook until no pink remains and then carefully drain any excess grease you want the flavor without heaviness
Season the Beef:
Sprinkle in Italian seasoning onion powder garlic powder salt and pepper Stir well making sure every piece of beef gets coated These dried spices should bloom in the heat and bring out a savory background
Make the Sauce:
Pour in marinara sauce and heavy cream Stir slowly to combine fully and let it just start to simmer The cream should transform the sauce into a slightly blush color and make it extra luscious
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce Use a gentle folding motion to coat all the pasta making sure every tube gets filled with meat and sauce This step is key for even flavor
Bake with Cheese:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and level it out Sprinkle the top evenly with mozzarella making sure you reach the edges Bake uncovered for about ten to fifteen minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and just starting to brown
Serve:
Let the bake cool for at least five minutes before scooping into bowls to keep those cheesy strings intact Serve warm and get ready for compliments
A plate of pasta with meat and cheese. Pin it
A plate of pasta with meat and cheese. | gracefulflavors.com

Mozzarella is my favorite part of this whole dish I love watching it bubble in the oven just before serving Once my little cousin helped me sprinkle the cheese and we laughed at how her handfuls always managed to end up in the same corner It is those little moments that make this bake special for me

Storage Tips

Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Bake keeps well in the fridge for up to three days Store in an airtight container and reheat covered either in the oven or microwave For freezing portion into individual containers and thaw overnight for a quick lunch The texture of the sauce stays creamy even after a reheat which I really appreciate

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are out of ground beef Italian sausage or ground turkey both work well For a lighter version swap heavy cream with half and half or full fat milk Gluten-free rigatoni holds up nicely and any favorite jarred tomato sauce can stand in for marinara Use whatever cheese makes you happy provolone or fontina are both delicious

Serving Suggestions

Garnish with fresh basil or parsley just before serving for color and freshness A simple arugula salad with lemon and olive oil pairs nicely so does a basket of garlic bread This bake sits proudly in the center of a family Sunday dinner spread

A bowl of pasta with meat and cheese. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with meat and cheese. | gracefulflavors.com

Cultural or Historical Context

Cheesy pasta bakes have deep roots in Italian-American cuisine blending old world pasta traditions with the generous use of cheese found in American comfort food Rigatoni is famously good for holding chunky sauces making it the pasta of choice in many Italian feasts This dish was inspired by baked ziti while swapping in rigatoni for extra texture and heartiness

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, penne or ziti make great substitutes. Choose a sturdy shape that holds sauce well for best results.

→ How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy?

Cook the rigatoni just until al dente, then drain promptly. This ensures it won't overcook during baking.

→ Can this dish be prepped ahead?

Absolutely. Assemble everything in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.

→ Which cheeses work best for topping?

Mozzarella melts beautifully, but you can also add parmesan or provolone for extra flavor and color.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Let cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat before serving.

→ Can the beef be swapped for another protein?

Ground chicken, turkey, or a vegetarian substitute work well. Adjust seasonings as needed to complement your choice.

Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Bake

Rigatoni with seasoned beef and creamy tomato sauce, baked under bubbling mozzarella for irresistible comfort.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Barbara

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 5 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1/2 yellow onion, diced
03 1 pound ground beef
04 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 Salt, to taste
08 Black pepper, to taste
09 24 ounces marinara sauce
10 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
11 16 ounces rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
12 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Step 01

Boil rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.

Step 02

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up meat, until browned with no pink remaining. Drain excess fat.

Step 03

Sprinkle Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the beef and onions. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.

Step 04

Pour marinara sauce and heavy whipping cream into the skillet. Stir to fully blend with the seasoned beef mixture.

Step 05

Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet. Toss gently to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated in sauce.

Step 06

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the pasta and beef mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden.

Step 07

Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Portion onto plates and serve while hot.

Notes

  1. For extra flavor, finish with fresh basil or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Baking dish
  • Wooden spoon

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from heavy whipping cream and mozzarella cheese.
  • Contains gluten from rigatoni pasta.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 610
  • Total Fat: 29 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 62 g
  • Protein: 28 g