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Rigatoni Bolognese pasta with meat sauce and melted cheese in a white ceramic baking dish

Simple Rigatoni Bolognese

A rich and comforting one-pot Italian dinner made with rigatoni pasta, ground beef, tomato sauce, garlic, and gooey mozzarella. Perfect for busy weeknights or family meals. - Large pot
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Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Ingredients:
  • - 1 lb ground beef or ½ beef + ½ pork
  • - 1 tbsp olive oil
  • - 1 small yellow onion diced
  • - 2 cloves garlic minced
  • - 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • - 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • - 1 tsp dried oregano
  • - ½ tsp salt
  • - ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • - 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • - Optional: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • - Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish

Equipment

  • - Deep skillet or Dutch oven
  • - Wooden spoon
  • - Cheese grater
  • - Airtight containers

Method
 

  1. Instructions:
  2. Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add onion, cook 3–4 min, then garlic for 1 min.
  4. Add ground beef, break it apart, cook until browned (6–8 min). Drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in tomato paste for 2 min, then add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer 10–15 min.
  6. Add pasta to sauce. Stir and let simmer 3–4 min.
  7. Sprinkle mozzarella on top. Cover and let cheese melt 5 min. Optional: broil for 2 min.
  8. Garnish with parsley or thyme and serve.

Notes

Notes:
- Use turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Add mushrooms or spinach.
- Make it spicy with chili flakes.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Freeze portions for up to 2 months.