Description
Indulge in the rich, creamy, and comforting flavors of this Baked Rigatoni Stuffed with Beef Ragu & Mozzarella. Perfectly al dente rigatoni pasta is filled with a savory beef ragu and baked to perfection, topped with melted mozzarella cheese for the ultimate in Italian-inspired comfort food.
Ingredients
– 1 pound rigatoni pasta
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the beef ragu for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
6. Stuff the cooked rigatoni pasta tubes with the beef ragu mixture, placing them in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Top the stuffed rigatoni with the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
10. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For an extra creamy and decadent dish, you can stir in a few tablespoons of ricotta cheese to the beef ragu mixture before stuffing the rigatoni. You can also experiment with different types of cheeses, such as provolone or fontina, for a unique twist.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian