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4.7 from 9 votes

Cheesy Baked Rigatoni

Cheesy Baked Rigatoni is the ultimate Italian comfort food! This yummy pasta recipe makes enough for two dinners or one tableful of guests!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 16
Calories: 345 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large yellow onions peeled and diced
  • 8 cloves garlic minced
  • 58 ounces canned tomato sauce (2 cans)
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
Pasta
  • 2 pounces rigatoni
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds Italian ground turkey (or mild Italian sausage)
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 4 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
  • 2 cups Parmesan Cheese shredded, divided
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • fresh parsley or basil chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Sauce
    Cup of Yum
  1. Place a large, deep-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan. Once hot, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Add the tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes.
  3. Remove from the heat as set aside.
Pasta
  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
  4. Grease two 9-inch x 13-inch baking dishes with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
  5. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, eggs, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan, salt and pepper until evenly combined.
  6. Divide the ricotta mixture, cooked ground turkey, and pasta sauce evenly between the two baking dishes. Add half of the cooked pasta to each baking dish and then toss it with the turkey, cheese mixture, and sauce. Top each dish with 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of Parmesan.
  7. If freezing for later: Pause here, wrap one baking dish up, and pop it in the freezer. Then continue on with the other dish of pasta.
  8. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and pasta is warmed through.
  9. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil for garnish before serving warm.

Notes

  • This recipe makes 2 baked pasta dishes. I make one for dinner that night, and the other I freeze for a future dinner. Just thaw the frozen pasta in the fridge overnight before baking as directed. You can also cut this recipe in half if you only want one 9x13 dish of pasta. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 345kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 0.003g Cholesterol 115mg (38%) Sodium 1776mg (74%) Potassium 581mg (17%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 921IU (18%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 417mg (42%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 345

% Daily Value*

Calories 345kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 0.003g 0%
Cholesterol 115mg 38%
Sodium 1776mg 74%
Potassium 581mg 12%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 921IU 18%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 417mg 42%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.