Authentic Italian Rigatoni Baked Pasta
A comforting, cheesy dish with layers of rigatoni, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella, baked to golden perfection. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 70 minutes pairs rigatoni pasta, marinara sauce, cubed mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup, cubed mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, bring 4 quarts salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rigatoni and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 2 cups marinara sauce and 1 tsp salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer 1/2 cup cooked rigatoni, 1 cup mozzarella cubes, 1/2 cup parmesan, and 1/4 cup fresh basil. Spread sauce over the top, then repeat layers: 1/2 cup rigatoni, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup parmesan, and 1/4 cup basil.
- Step 4: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes until top is golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Italian Rigatoni Baked Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Italian Rigatoni Baked Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rigatoni pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Italian Rigatoni Baked Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Italian Rigatoni Baked Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Italian Rigatoni Baked Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect pasta recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
