Rigatoni Pasta Bake recipe | freezer friendly! The Recipe Rebel

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: cheddar cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while still melting well.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often cheaper.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grana padano

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can be used for a fresher taste.

In a large saucepan, stir and cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned and onions have softened. Drain any juices released.

Add the Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper and cook 1 minute.

Add the pasta sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, for 5 minutes. Set aside.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add rigatoni, reduce heat to medium-high, and cook just until al dente (it will continue to cook slightly in the oven).

Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain pasta. Stir reserved pasta water into meat sauce.

Combine pasta and pasta sauce in saucepan. Pour into a lightly greased 9×13″ or similar baking dish.

Cover with a lightly greased piece of foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes, until cheese has started to brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens