Name: Ultimate Cheesy Beef Rigatoni Recipe – Family Favorite!
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) rigatoni pasta; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp coarse sea salt; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1.5 lb (680g) lean ground beef; 1 large yellow onion, chopped; 4-5 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (6-oz / 170g) can tomato paste; 1 (28-oz / 794g) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (14.5-oz / 411g) can diced tomatoes; 1 cup (240ml) beef broth; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1.5 tsp dried basil; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tsp granulated sugar; 1.5 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 15 oz (425g) whole milk ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 3 cups (340g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Cheesy Beef Rigatoni isn’t just a meal; it’s an embrace in a bowl, a symphony of savory flavors and comforting textures that promises to become a new staple in your culinary repertoire. I’ve always found immense joy in dishes that bring people together around the table, and this particular recipe truly embodies that spirit. While the exact origins of combining hearty beef, rich tomato sauce, and abundant cheese with pasta can be traced back to various Italian-American kitchens, it’s a modern classic that evolved from the beloved tradition of baked pasta, designed to be both satisfying and economical. This dish carries the spirit of Sunday dinners and heartwarming family gatherings, making it more than just food—it’s an experience.

Why Cheesy Beef Rigatoni is a Beloved Comfort Classic

What makes this dish universally adored, you ask? It’s the perfect harmony of al dente rigatoni, nestled amongst a robust, seasoned beef ragù, all enveloped in a luscious, melted cheese blanket that stretches with every forkful. The convenience of preparing a substantial meal that appeals to all ages, combined with its irresistible taste and creamy texture, makes Cheesy Beef Rigatoni an absolute winner. I’m thrilled to guide you through creating this incredibly delicious and deeply comforting dish that will undoubtedly earn rave reviews from your family and friends.

Ingredients:

For the Rigatoni:
- 1 pound (450g) rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt (for pasta water)
For the Beef Ragù:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 pounds (680g) lean ground beef (80/20 works great for flavor)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (6-ounce / 170g) can tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce / 794g) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-ounce / 411g) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 cup (240ml) beef broth (low sodium recommended)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1.5 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste, for a little kick)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (to balance acidity, optional but recommended)
- 1.5 teaspoons salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish and in sauce)
For the Cheesy Layers:
- 15 ounces (425g) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups (340g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Preparing the Rich Beef Ragù

Before you begin cooking, it’s always a good idea to perform a little mise en place. This means getting all your ingredients prepped and ready to go. Finely chop your yellow onion, mince the garlic cloves, measure out your herbs and spices, and open your cans of tomatoes and beef broth. This organized approach will make the cooking process much smoother and more enjoyable, ensuring that the creation of your Cheesy Beef Rigatoni flows seamlessly.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the ground beef. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon as it cooks. You want to brown the beef thoroughly, ensuring there are no pink bits left. This browning step is crucial as it develops a deep, savory flavor that forms the foundation of our magnificent Cheesy Beef Rigatoni. It takes about 6-8 minutes.
Once the ground beef is beautifully browned, carefully drain off any excess fat from the pot. Leaving too much fat can make the sauce greasy. You can tilt the pot and use a ladle to scoop out the fat, or transfer the beef to a colander set over a bowl. Return the beef to the pot if you’ve removed it.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the finely chopped yellow onion to the pot with the browned beef. Sauté the onion, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. The onions will release their natural sweetness and absorb some of the beef’s flavor, adding another layer of complexity to our ragù.
Now, add the minced garlic to the pot. Stir it in and cook for just about 1 minute, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn, as burnt garlic can taste bitter and detract from the overall deliciousness of your Cheesy Beef Rigatoni.
Stir in the entire 6-ounce can of tomato paste. Cook the tomato paste for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. This step is incredibly important for deepening the flavor of the sauce. Cooking the tomato paste, often referred to as “caramelizing” it, brings out its natural sweetness and richness, moving it beyond a raw tomato flavor. You’ll notice the color darken slightly.
Pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot with your wooden spoon to deglaze it. This action helps to release any flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, incorporating them back into the sauce where they belong. These bits are pure flavor bombs!
Next, add the crushed tomatoes and the undrained diced tomatoes to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined. The combination of crushed and diced tomatoes provides a lovely texture – some smooth, some chunky – which is ideal for a hearty beef rigatoni dish.
Season the sauce with dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), granulated sugar (to cut through the acidity of the tomatoes), salt, and black pepper. Stir these seasonings in thoroughly. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember, flavors will meld and intensify as it simmers.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially (leaving a small gap for steam to escape), and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will marry and deepen, resulting in a truly rich and robust beef ragù. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. This patient simmering is key to developing the profound taste that makes our Cheesy Beef Rigatoni so irresistible.

Cooking the Rigatoni Pasta

While your beef ragù is simmering away, begin preparing the rigatoni pasta. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Don’t be shy with the salt here; it’s your only chance to season the pasta itself. The water should taste like the sea.
Add the 1 pound of rigatoni pasta to the boiling water. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Cook the rigatoni according to the package directions, but aim for it to be very al dente – meaning it should still be quite firm to the bite. Since the pasta will finish cooking in the oven with the sauce, we want it to be slightly undercooked now, about 2-3 minutes less than the package recommends. This ensures it doesn’t become mushy when baked into the glorious Cheesy Beef Rigatoni.
Once the pasta is al dente, drain it well in a colander. Do not rinse the pasta. Rinsing removes the starches that help the sauce cling to the rigatoni, and we definitely want that sauce to stick! Set aside.

Assembling the Cheesy Layers and Building the Rigatoni

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with a little olive oil or cooking spray. A well-greased dish ensures easy serving and cleanup.
In a medium bowl, prepare the creamy ricotta mixture. Combine the whole milk ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly until it’s smooth and well incorporated. The egg acts as a binder, helping the ricotta hold its shape and preventing it from becoming too watery during baking, adding a beautiful creamy texture to every bite of your Cheesy Beef Rigatoni.
Now, let’s bring it all together. Take a large mixing bowl and add the drained, al dente rigatoni. Pour about 3-4 cups of the beef ragù over the pasta. Stir gently until all the rigatoni tubes are evenly coated with that rich, flavorful sauce. This initial coating ensures every strand of pasta is infused with deliciousness.
Spread about 1 cup of the remaining beef ragù evenly across the bottom of your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. This creates a flavorful base layer and helps prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
Arrange half of the sauced rigatoni over the beef ragù in the baking dish. Spread it out as evenly as possible. You want a nice, uniform layer for proper baking and presentation.
Carefully dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the first layer of rigatoni. You can use a spoon to drop small mounds of ricotta all over the pasta. It doesn’t need to be perfectly spread, as it will melt and mingle as it bakes, creating pockets of creamy goodness throughout your Cheesy Beef Rigatoni.
Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the ricotta layer. This layer of mozzarella will create a delicious, gooey heart within the dish.
Repeat the layers: add the remaining half of the sauced rigatoni, followed by the rest of the ricotta mixture, dolloped generously. Then, spread another 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the ricotta. Finally, spoon the rest of the beef ragù over the top of the rigatoni and mozzarella, ensuring good coverage.
For the grand finale, generously sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and an extra handful of grated Parmesan cheese over the very top of the dish. This top layer of cheese will melt into a golden, bubbly crust, which is arguably one of the most appealing aspects of any baked pasta, especially this spectacular Cheesy Beef Rigatoni.

Baking and Serving Your Cheesy Beef Rigatoni

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the pasta and cheese, allowing everything to heat through and meld together beautifully without the top cheese browning too quickly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes with the foil on. This initial covered baking time is essential for the flavors to fully integrate and for the pasta to absorb more of that rich sauce, reaching its perfect tenderness.
After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) if you want a quicker browning, or keep it at 375°F (190°C) for a more gradual browning. Continue baking uncovered for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is gloriously melted, bubbly, and has achieved a beautiful golden-brown color. Keep a close eye on it during this stage, as ovens can vary, and you want that perfect crust without burning.
Once your Cheesy Beef Rigatoni emerges from the oven, irresistibly golden and bubbling, resist the urge to immediately dig in. It’s crucial to let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the cheese and sauce to set, making it much easier to cut and serve neat portions, and preventing it from becoming a messy pile of deliciousness (though it will still be delicious!).
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley just before serving, if desired. The vibrant green of the parsley adds a beautiful pop of color and a fresh aromatic contrast to the rich, savory pasta. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting, satisfying experience of every forkful of your homemade Cheesy Beef Rigatoni. It’s perfect on its own or alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty garlic bread.

Conclusion:

So, there you have it, my friends! This isn’t just another recipe; it’s my heartfelt invitation to experience pure, unadulterated comfort food at its absolute finest. I truly believe that my rendition of Cheesy Beef Rigatoni is more than just a meal; it’s a warm, savory hug on a plate, a delightful culinary journey that promises to satisfy every single craving for hearty, flavorful goodness. What makes this particular dish a must-try, you ask? It’s the impeccable balance of textures and tastes: the perfectly al dente rigatoni, cradling a rich, deeply seasoned ground beef sauce that has simmered to perfection, all bound together by an irresistible, gooey blanket of melted cheese that stretches with every forkful. It’s familiar yet elevated, simple enough for a busy weeknight but impressive enough to earn rave reviews at any dinner party. The aroma alone as it bakes will have your family gathering around the kitchen, eager for their first bite. Trust me when I say, this recipe is designed to become an instant classic in your home, one that you’ll return to again and again.

I find immense joy in crafting meals that not only taste incredible but also bring people together, and this Cheesy Beef Rigatoni excels at just that. It’s the kind of dish that fosters conversation and creates lasting memories around the dinner table. The robust flavors ensure that even the pickiest eaters will ask for seconds, and its inherent heartiness means a single serving is wonderfully filling. There’s a certain magic in a dish that effortlessly combines such simple ingredients into something truly spectacular, and I’ve poured all my passion into making sure this recipe delivers on that promise. Every element, from the seasoned beef to the choice of cheeses, has been carefully considered to create a symphony of flavors that is both comforting and exciting. It’s the ultimate expression of Italian-American comfort food, made accessible and utterly delicious for everyone.

Serving Suggestions for Your Perfect Pasta Experience

While this magnificent pasta bake is undeniably robust enough to stand as a meal all on its own, I often love to pair it with a few complementary sides to round out the experience. For a wonderful contrast to the rich and savory notes, I highly recommend serving your Cheesy Beef Rigatoni alongside a crisp, fresh green salad. A simple vinaigrette dressing with a hint of tang, perhaps made with red wine vinegar and good olive oil, will beautifully cut through the richness of the pasta, offering a refreshing counterpoint that brightens the entire meal. Another essential, in my opinion, is a generous basket of warm, crusty garlic bread. It’s not just for soaking up every last drop of that delectable sauce – which you absolutely should do! – but also for providing an extra layer of texture and garlicky deliciousness that complements the pasta perfectly. For beverages, a medium-bodied red wine, such as a Chianti or a Merlot, would be a fantastic pairing, enhancing the umami flavors of the beef. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, sparkling water with a wedge of lemon or lime provides a refreshing palate cleanser.

Exciting Variations to Make It Your Own

Part of the beauty of cooking is the freedom to customize and personalize, and this recipe is incredibly adaptable! Don’t hesitate to make it your own. Want to add more vegetables? Sautéed mushrooms, finely diced bell peppers (red or yellow add a lovely sweetness), or even a handful of fresh spinach stirred in at the very end are fantastic additions that boost both flavor and nutrition. For a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce can add a delightful warmth. Feeling adventurous with your cheese? While mozzarella and cheddar are my go-to’s for that classic gooey pull, consider adding a layer of smoked gouda for a nutty, complex depth, or provolone for a milder, creamier melt. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano over the top just before serving adds an extra layer of sharp, salty flavor that I simply can’t resist. For those looking to lighten it up slightly, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the beef, or for a vegetarian twist, a robust plant-based mince or a mix of lentils and finely chopped mushrooms can create a satisfying hearty texture. You could also stir in some fresh herbs like basil or oregano right before serving for a burst of aromatic freshness. The possibilities are truly endless, so feel empowered to experiment and discover your own perfect version.

Your Culinary Adventure Awaits!

Now, my dear food lovers, it’s your turn! I’ve shared all my tips and tricks for creating this truly unforgettable dish, and I am genuinely excited for you to experience the magic of my Cheesy Beef Rigatoni firsthand. There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from creating something so delicious from scratch, and I promise you, this recipe delivers that feeling in spades. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and prepare to embark on a delightful culinary adventure. I can already picture your smiles as you take that first glorious bite! Once you’ve whipped up your own batch, please don’t be shy. I would absolutely love, love, love to hear all about your experience. Did you add any unique twists? What did your family think? Share your photos with me, tell me about your favorite variations, or simply drop a comment below to let me know how much you enjoyed it. Your feedback not only brightens my day but also helps me connect with fellow passionate home cooks like you. Happy cooking, and get ready to fall head over heels in love with your new favorite pasta bake!