This hearty baked rigatoni dish has homemade meatballs tucked between layers of pasta and marinara sauce. A gooey mix of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese covers the whole thing. It's a meal that everyone loves and is great for family dinners or get-togethers with friends.

Ingredients: 1 lb rigatoni pasta. 1 batch homemade meatballs see recipe below. 4 cups marinara sauce. 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Fresh basil leaves, for garnish.

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 375F 190C. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce. Add half of the cooked rigatoni to the baking dish, then layer with half of the remaining marinara sauce. Place the homemade meatballs evenly over the sauce and rigatoni. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the meatballs. Layer the rest of the rigatoni on top of the cheese, followed by the remaining marinara sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni

You will make these rigatoni recipes on loop every single week once you taste it. Savory Italian sausage, heavy cream, and aromatic garlic and herbs melt into the most indulgent sauce that coats every tube of rigatoni perfectly.