Rigatoni al Forno (Baked Rigatoni) Recipe
Rigatoni al Forno, literally ‘Rigatoni from the oven,’ is Italian comfort food at its best. Pasta baked in a flavorful tomato sauce with oodles of delicious mozzarella cheese. It is virtually impossible to mess up this simple recipe.
This simple Baked Rigatoni dish is a cousin to other baked pasta dishes you’ll find in various regions of Italy, like lasagna in Emilia-Romagna or baked ziti in the South. But it’s got its unique twist with rigatoni, that delightfully ridged pasta perfect for trapping sauce and cheese.
Rigatoni itself hails from Central and Southern Italy. Its name comes from the Italian word “rigati,” which means “ridged.” Those ridges are handy as they grip onto that saucy, meaty goodness like a champ.
Table of Contents
What readers are saying…
“This was perfect to serve to my children and friends who came home for a quick visit. One of my daughter’s friends said, “this is so good it’s like eating candy for dinner”. I also loved it but really want to thank you for the comment about the cheese. Several months ago to cut corners I bought shredded mozzarella. Two weeks after using it I found the remainder in the fridge looking new. I threw it out but was worried about the reason it had stayed new. We had lots of laughs as people dished out this dinner with long strings of cheese going across the table!”
Astrid
Why You Will Love this Rigatoni al Forno
In a nutshell, this recipe produces a baking dish filled with chewy, tubular pasta melded with a rich, herby, and meaty tomato sauce and pockets of ooey-gooey mozzarella. But if you are looking for more reasons:
- Flavor Bomb: Every ingredient plays a role here, from the sautéed garlic and onion to the lush tomato puree and paste. You get layers of flavor in each bite.
- Cheese Heaven: Mozzarella and parmesan team up to give you that “cheese pull” moment.
- Versatile: Feel like tweaking? Swap out the meat, use different cheeses, or even add some extra veggies. Make it your own!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or impressing dinner guests. Let’s just say empty plates will be a common sight.
- Easy Peasy: If you can boil water and operate an oven, you’ve got this. Plus, your kitchen will smell like an Italian bistro!
- Make it Ahead and Store Leftover: Make Rigatoni al Forno and freeze or refrigerate it before you bake it for a quick dinner option.
- Need to Bring Dinner for a New Mom or Sick Friend? Yup, this baked pasta dish is always a winner.
Ingredients in Rigatoni al Forno
- Diced Onion: Go for a yellow or white onion for a classic, savory base. Red could work if you like a bit of sweetness. Work on a nice, small dice for a smoother sauce.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best!
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin if you can swing it, but don’t stress. It’s mainly for sautéing the onion and garlic.
- Italian Seasoning: A premixed Italian seasoning blend is easy, but you could totally substitute it with oregano, basil, and thyme.
- Ground Meat: Traditionally, you’ll see ground beef, pork, veal, or a blend in Rigatoni al Forno. But we use turkey for a lighter version. Or consider Italian sausage for a spicy kick. Feel free to combine or use what you have.
- Tomato Puree: Look for San Marzano for the best taste. If you don’t have tomato puree in the pantry, tip a can of whole tomatoes in the blender or food processor!
- Tomato Paste: This gives a flavor punch.
- Dry Wine: Red will give you depth, and white will keep it light. It’s totally up to you. And hey, a glass for the chef, am I right?
- Mozzarella: Fresh is best, with block mozzarella coming in second. Avoid pre-shredded if at all possible. Pre-shredded cheese is often drier in general and often coated with an anti-caking agent, which might make your dish less ooey-gooey and gritty.
- Shredded Parmesan: Same as above!
- Fresh Basil: Fresh really makes a difference here.
- Salt and Pepper: Just taste as you go.
- Dry Rigatoni: Use regular for a traditional Rigatoni al Forno. While I like to use Banza or other healthier pasta in general, I find that the gluten-free pasta ‘crumbles’ during baking more than regular pasta.
Substitutions and Variations
Sauce Variations:
- Veggie Delight: Ditch the meat and load up on mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini for a vegetarian twist.
- Spicy Kick: Toss in some red pepper flakes or a bit of spicy sausage to bring the heat.
Cheese Choices:
- Ricotta Cheese: Dollop some on top before baking for creamy pockets of goodness.
- Vegan Cheese: If you’re going dairy-free, there are some convincing vegan cheeses.
Pasta Options:
- Penne: If rigatoni’s not your jam, penne is a great stand-in.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta if you’ve got dietary restrictions. Bear in mind that the texture of gluten-free is different from regular pasta.
Wine & Liquid Subs:
- Chicken or Veggie Broth: If wine’s not on the menu, broth adds depth.
Toppings & Extras:
- Olives or Capers: For a Mediterranean vibe, sprinkle these on before baking.
- Crunchy Breadcrumbs: A layer on top before baking will add a nice textural contrast.
Making Rigatoni al Forno
Making this baked pasta dish couldn’t be easier.
Sautee onions and garlic until transparent, then add your ground meat and sautee until it is cooked through. At this point, you’ll add your tomato products, spices, and wine and let that delicious meat sauce simmer a bit while you cook the rigatoni. Make sure to remove the pasta from the stove 2 minutes before the package indicates for al dente; you want it less cooked than al dente as it will continue to cook while it is baking. Save some cooking water in case you need to add more liquid to your pasta sauce.
At this point, you will make two layers in your baking dish. Each layer is half of the rigatoni/sauce mixture, mozzarella, parmesan, and basil, in that order.
If you are baking it now, ensure your oven is preheated to 400° F (190° C). Bake for 25-30 minutes or until brown and bubbly.
You Can Make your Rigatoni al Forno Ahead of Time
Two Options:
#1
Whip up your meaty tomato sauce a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. The flavors will meld and become even more amazing.
Boil your rigatoni until it’s just under al dente. Drain and cool it down by running it under cool water. Save some pasta water in case you need more liquid in your sauce.
Dice your mozzarella and grate your parmesan ahead of time. Store them in separate containers in the fridge.
Combine the pasta and the sauce on the day you plan to serve it. Then, layer your pasta/sauce mixture, cheeses, and basil in your baking dish and pop it in the oven. Voila!
#2
Make the Rigatoni al Forno according to the recipe and place it in a freezer-safe baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then follow up with a layer of aluminum foil. This double-wrap action helps prevent freezer burn. You can safely freeze this dish for 2-3 months.
When you are ready to bake your Rigatoni, you can either thaw it overnight in the fridge or bake it straight from frozen. Just know that if you bake it from frozen, you’ll need to add some extra time to the original bake duration.
Before you bake the pasta, remove the plastic wrap and the foil.
Kitchen Tips for Delicious Rigatoni al Forno
Quality Ingredients:
- Cheese: Skip the pre-shredded stuff and grate or dice your own. Fresh mozzarella and quality Parmesan can make all the difference.
- Meat: Opt for fresh, high-quality ground meat.
Technique Tips:
- Onion & Garlic: Sauté until they’re translucent but not browned to avoid a bitter taste.
- Sauce: Let it simmer for a while to meld the flavors. You can even add a bay leaf or a pinch of sugar to enhance the tomato flavor.
- Pasta: Cook it al dente. It will continue to cook in the oven, and you don’t want mushy pasta.
Layer Like a Pro:
- Cheese Every Layer: Don’t just save the cheese for the top. Sprinkle some between the layers of pasta and sauce for gooey goodness throughout.
- Sauce at the Bottom: Start with a sauce layer at the dish’s bottom to prevent sticking.
- Top Layer: End with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan and a few dollops of sauce so the pasta doesn’t dry out.
Baking:
- Preheat: Ensure your oven is fully preheated before popping the dish in.
- Bake Uncovered: This helps the top get that scrumptious golden crust. But if it starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it with foil.
- Rest: Let the dish sit for a few minutes after you take it out of the oven. It helps the sauce thicken and flavors to settle.
Finishing Touches:
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley before serving can bring a pop of color and flavor.
- Extra Cheese: I mean, can you really have too much? A final sprinkle of Parmesan before serving is never a bad idea.
How to Store Your Leftover Baked Rigatoni
Let your Rigatoni al Forno cool down to room temperature before you start packing it away. Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
If you’ve got more than you can handle, Rigatoni Al Forno freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers, and you have future meals ready to go. Just remember to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. If you’re in a hurry, microwaving works, too, but you might lose some of that delightful texture.
Rigatoni al forno
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion diced
- 5 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
- 1 pound ground meat turkey, chicken, beef, pork, sausage or a mix
- 28 ounces of tomato puree see note 1
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup of dry wine red or white
- 14 ounces or approximately 2 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese cubed (see note 2)
- 4 ounces of shredded or grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil sliced
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 16 ounces of dry rigatoni
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Saute diced onions in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, until translucent. Add minced garlic and saute for 2 more minutes. Watch carefully so that the onions and garlic don't brown.
- Add ground meat to onions and garlic, breaking the meat into fine mince. Saute until meat is cooked through.
- Add tomato puree, tomato paste, spices, and wine to the meat and onion mixture.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer for 10 minutes over low heat.
- While the sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of water to boil to cook the rigatoni.
- Cook the rigatoni 2 minutes less than directed for al dente.
- Drain the rigatoni and add it to the sauce.
- Place half of the sauce/pasta mixture to the bottom of your baking dish.
- Spread half of both cheeses and half of the basil over the pasta and sauce.
- Then add the remaining pasta/sauce over top, followed by the remaining cheese and basil.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Sprinkle fresh basil over top before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Bookmark this page or pin the following image to refer back to this Rigatoni al Forno recipe in the future. Buon appetito!
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Hi lyn
I learnt something from your blog this week as I find always interesting weekly from you. You are a very busy productive person. Good on you!! I was interested in making the fig squash salad but it stumped me with one ingredient arugula what is that ? Upon looking it up discovered it is rocket which we call in Australia. I will certainly also try the rigatoni
Cheers Diane
Hi Diane,
It is so nice to hear from you and I’m thrilled that you find our weekly newsletters interesting! That is certainly my goal each week. I sure hope you enjoy the Rigatoni! We are actually having it for dinner tonight!
Hugs, Lynn
I don’t exactly remember when I first subscribed to your posts, but think it might have been on the tail end of that nasty covid going around. I taught myself to knit from YouTube & a couple of books from Amazon. Started off making kitchen wash cloths, towels, then blankets. In searching for free patterns came across your site. So first, I want to thank you for the patterns, as have made several for family & friends as Christmas gifts. Then progressed to blankets for everyone! LOL! I’m getting to the recipe for the Rigatoni recipe. I don’t cook much anymore due to health reasons, so share with dear daughter when I see an interesting recipe. I swear she & I were Italian in another life as we really love their cooking. Anyway, shared this recipe with her just yesterday, & guess what we had for supper tonight! Yep, your rigatoni! it was devine too! So, long story short am thanking you for knit patterns & recipes! Keep up the good work dear. You are very much appreciated!!!
Hi Barbara,
What a lovely note!! I swear, my heart is smiling as much as my face is!
I started this blog on a whim several years back and it has brought me so much enjoyment, primarly because I am able to ‘meet’ the most lovely people, like you! And you are so very welcome for all the patterns and recipes! Sharing them brings me joy!
Say, ‘Hi’ to your daughter for me and I’m so glad you both enjoyed the Rigatoni!
Hugs, Lynn
Hi Sue,
So glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Laura,
I’m so glad your family enjoyed it! Ours does too and it is so easy!
This was just the recipe I was looking for after Easter and it found it easy to prepare, and so delicious. Everyone in the family loved the flavor and ate seconds. I did fix some Italian cheese bread to accompany our dinner and a fresh house salad. Thank you so much for a wonderful recipe, Lynn. I’ll be making this at least monthly and for special events.
Thanks so much for the kind review Barbara! It is such an easy and yummy email, especially after the all the hustle and bustle of Easter. And hceese bread makes everything better!
Have a great day,
We absolutely loved this Rigatoni! It was easy to make and so delicious! I used ground pork and it was excellent. I think the veggie delight variation sounds wonderful too and will definitely be trying that! It makes 8 servings so we shared with my mom and mother-in-law and still had plenty of leftovers.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much for your kind review! And I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It is such a simple, yet yummy and filling dish!
Thanks again for taking the time to review the recipe. It really does help other cooks find the recipes they are looking for.
Have a great day.
This was perfect to serve to my children and friends who came home for a quick visit. One of my daughter’s friends said, “this is so good it’s like eating candy for dinner”. I also loved it but really want to thank you for the comment about the cheese. Several months ago to cut corners I bought shredded mozzarella. Two weeks after using it I found the remainder in the fridge looking new. I threw it out but was worried about the reason it had stayed new. We had lots of laughs as people dished out this dinner with long strings of cheese going across the table!
Hi Astrid,
Thank you so very much for the lovely comment! My heart is smiling knowing that this recipe was enjoyed by your children and their friends around the dinner table, filled with laughs and strings of cheese! That is an image of sheer bliss!
And thanks for taking the time to leave the comment on the recipe. Comments like yours are invaluable to a small blog like mine.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Hugs, Lynn