Ground Beef Stuffed Cheesy Rigatoni

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

12 oz rigatoni pasta

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 1⁄2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1⁄2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite tomato sauce)

1 tsp garlic powder

1⁄2 tsp onion powder

1⁄2 tsp dried oregano

1⁄2 tsp dried basil

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

Cook the pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the ground beef filling: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to the beef, and stir to combine. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Mix the filling: In a bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
Stuff the rigatoni: Gently stuff each rigatoni pasta tube with the beef and cheese mixture, being careful not to break the pasta. Arrange the stuffed rigatoni in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Add the sauce: Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the stuffed rigatoni, making sure each piece is well-coated. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the pasta.
Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve and enjoy: Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot!