Baked Rigatoni with Ricotta Cheese
A comforting baked dish featuring rigatoni pasta mixed with creamy ricotta cheese, marinara sauce, and topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups ricotta cheese Use fresh for best flavor
- 2 cups marinara sauce Homemade or store-bought
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the ricotta mixture and stir until the pasta is well coated.
Assembling
- In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the rigatoni and ricotta mixture over the sauce.
- Add half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the remaining marinara sauce on top.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining rigatoni, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Top with Parmesan cheese.
Baking
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Serve hot with a simple green salad and garlic bread. To store, allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. You can prepare ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.