Baked Rigatoni with Meat Sauce and Cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

1. Prepare the meat sauce:

• In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
• Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
• Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes (if using), dried basil, and oregano. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

1. Assemble the casserole:

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni with the meat sauce, mixing well.
• In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, and then sprinkle the rest of the cheeses.

1. Bake:

• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.

1. Serve:

• Once out of the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

This dish is perfect for cozy dinners and can be made ahead of time for meal prepping. Let me know if you’d like any variations or adjustments!