Description
A creamy and cheesy baked rigatoni dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package directions. You want it just al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the creamy cheese mixture – In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Stir until smooth and well blended. This mixture forms the creamy heart of the dish.
- Sauté the garlic – Heat olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir the garlic into the marinara sauce to deepen the flavor.
- Combine pasta and sauce – In a large bowl, toss the cooked rigatoni with the marinara sauce until every piece of pasta is coated. Fold in the cottage cheese mixture so the sauce becomes creamy and rich.
- Assemble the dish – Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake until bubbly – Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. The top should be bubbling and irresistible.
- Finish and serve – Let the cottage cheese rigatoni rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for color and freshness.
Notes
- This dish can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Add your choice of vegetables to enhance the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg