The Perfect 30-Minute Rigatoni Recipe for Weeknight Magic

Creamy rigatoni upgrades an ordinary dinner into a comforting culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds with its smooth, luxurious texture.

Pasta lovers appreciate how this dish combines robust ingredients into a harmonious blend of flavor and richness.

Each forkful promises a delightful mixture of tender tubes and silky sauce that melts effortlessly across your palate.

The magic lies in its ability to balance complex flavors with remarkable simplicity.

Comfort food enthusiasts understand the profound connection between a well-crafted pasta dish and pure gastronomic pleasure.

Sophisticated yet unpretentious, this meal adapts to various ingredient combinations while maintaining its core identity.

You’ll find yourself craving its warm, satisfying embrace time and again.

How to Make the Best Creamy Rigatoni

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil rigatoni according to package instructions. Before draining, carefully set aside of pasta water. Drain pasta completely.

Step 3: Create the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet, brown ground beef, sausage, and diced onions together. Season with herbs and spices. Pour in tomato sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to blend.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy White Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Reserved pasta water

Stir until sauce becomes silky and slightly thickened.

Step 5: Assemble the Pasta Dish

Gently mix cooked rigatoni with the creamy white sauce. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Spread meat sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes until cheese melts and edges become golden and bubbly.

Tips for Achieving a Rich, Creamy Sauce for Your Rigatoni

• Master Pasta Water Technique: Reserve and use the starchy pasta water to help thicken and smooth out your white sauce, creating a silkier texture without changing the flavor.
• Perfect Meat Browning Trick: Let beef and sausage develop a deep golden-brown crust by avoiding constant stirring, which ensures maximum flavor development and caramelization.
• Cheese Melting Strategy: Grate fresh mozzarella and Parmesan instead of using pre-shredded cheese for superior melting and richer taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Sauce Consistency Secret: Whisk the white sauce continuously to prevent lumps and achieve a velvety smooth texture that coats the pasta beautifully.
• Baking Precision Hack: Cover the dish with foil for the first 10 minutes to prevent cheese from burning, then uncover to allow perfect golden-brown melting and crispy edges.

Storing Creamy Rigatoni for Later Enjoyment

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled Creamy Rigatoni to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish sealed tightly to prevent moisture loss and bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Wrap the casserole in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil for maximum protection. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave, covering with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. For best texture, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of pasta water or cream to restore moisture and prevent the pasta from becoming tough.

Best Sides to Serve with Creamy Rigatoni

• Savor Bold Red Wine Pairing: Robust Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly complement the rich meat sauce, cutting through the creaminess while enhancing the hearty flavors of beef and sausage.
• Refresh with Crisp Salad Side: Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a bright, tangy contrast to the heavy pasta, balancing the dish's richness and adding a light, zesty element.
• Elevate with Garlic Bread Companion: Crusty, herb-infused garlic bread serves as an ideal side, soaking up extra sauce and adding a crunchy texture that complements the creamy pasta's smooth consistency.
• Cool Down with Citrus Spritzer: Light, refreshing citrus-based drink like sparkling water with lemon or an Aperol Spritz helps cleanse the palate between bites of this indulgent pasta dish.

Play Around with Different Twists on Creamy Rigatoni

• Mediterranean Veggie Blast: Replace beef and sausage with roasted eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers. Add crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Kick: Swap meat with ground turkey and chipotle peppers. Mix in black beans, corn, and swap white sauce with pepper jack cheese sauce. Top with fresh cilantro and green onions.
• Chicken Carbonara Style: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef and sausage. Incorporate crispy pancetta, extra Parmesan, and black pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley for an Italian-inspired version.
• Seafood Extravaganza: Replace ground meats with sautéed shrimp and crab meat. Mix in fresh dill, swap white sauce with a light seafood cream sauce. Sprinkle with lemon zest for brightness.

Creamy Rigatoni: Comfort Food That’s Sure to Please

• Indulge in Layered Comfort: This creamy rigatoni delivers restaurant-quality flavors right from your home kitchen, combining rich meat sauce with velvety white sauce for a decadent pasta experience.
• Master a Complex Technique Simply: Despite looking impressive, the recipe breaks down complex cooking steps into easy-to-follow instructions, making gourmet cooking accessible for home chefs of all skill levels.
• Packed with Hearty Protein: Featuring both beef and sausage, this dish provides a substantial 40g protein punch, making it perfect for satisfying hungry families or feeding a crowd at gatherings.
• One-Pan Culinary Magic: The seamless transition from stovetop to oven creates a convenient meal with minimal cleanup, transforming simple ingredients into a show-stopping casserole that feels like a special occasion dinner.

Ingredients You Need for Creamy Rigatoni

• Rigatoni Pasta: Classic tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding rich sauces and trapping meaty bits.

• Ground Beef, Italian Sausage: Hearty protein base that adds deep, savory flavor to the dish.
• Onion: Aromatic base that provides sweet and foundational flavor to the meat sauce.

• Tomato Sauce: Classic Italian-style sauce that creates a rich, tangy meat base.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth white sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickening agent for creating a creamy, smooth white sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious, silky texture to the white sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the white sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a stretchy, golden cheese topping.

• Spices (Not Specified): Enhance the overall flavor of the meat sauce, likely including salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.

Rigatoni Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy rigatoni brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen with rich mascarpone sauce and al dente pasta. Warm parmesan sprinkles and fragrant herbs create a luxurious meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground Italian sausage
• 6 ounces (170 grams) shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups (226 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 12-ounce (340 grams) can tomato paste
• (2) 15-ounce (425 grams) cans tomato sauce

Pasta, Liquids, and Seasonings:

• 16-ounce (454 grams) box Rigatoni Pasta
• ½ cup (113 grams) butter
• 16 ounces (454 grams) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) pasta water
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning

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Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish and warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) for optimal preparation.
2. Cook rigatoni pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente, carefully reserving of starchy pasta water before draining.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking the meat into small crumbles; add diced onions and cook until vegetables become translucent.
4. Sprinkle dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly; pour in tomato sauce and reduce heat to simmer for 5-7 minutes.
5. Create a velvety white sauce by melting unsalted butter in a separate saucepan, whisking in all-purpose flour to create a roux, then gradually incorporating heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Thin the white sauce with reserved pasta water, stirring until smooth and achieving a pourable consistency.
7. Gently fold cooked rigatoni into the creamy white sauce, ensuring each pasta tube is generously coated.
8. Transfer the sauced pasta to the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer.
9. Ladle the robust meat sauce over the pasta, then generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the top.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the edges become golden and bubbly.

Notes

• Elevate your pasta game with this crowd-pleasing comfort dish that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious meal.
• Perfectly balanced flavors marry tender pasta, rich meats, and creamy sauce for a restaurant-quality experience at home.
• Customize the heat level by adjusting spice quantities or swapping sausage types to match your family’s taste preferences.
• Meal prep champions can assemble this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake, making weeknight dinners effortless.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully, with the sauce maintaining its creamy texture and the cheese melting just as gloriously as the first serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 800 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 1500mg
• Fat: 55g
• Saturated Fat: 30g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 130mg