Dairy Farmers of Canada

Rich & Cheesy Rigatoni Recipe

This cheesy pasta bake is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Best with a homemade sauce. Be sure to use good, fresh ricotta – and lots of Mozza! This recipe is taken from the 2016 Milk Calendar.

  • Prep: 25 min
  • Cooking: 27 min
Yields 8 - 10 Servings
Rigatoni casserole served with a fresh loaf of bread

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) rigatoni
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) Butter divided
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 carrot diced
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef or pork
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 oz (796 mL) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried thyme
  • 3/4 tsp (4 mL) salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) Milk
  • 1 cup (approx. ½ 450 g container) Canadian Ricotta
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 mL)
  • shredded Canadian Mozzarella
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Preparation

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 11 min or until al dente. Drain well, then return to pot. Meanwhile, melt 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery, cook 2 min. Add beef and garlic. Using a fork to break up meat, stir until no longer pink, about 5 min. Add tomatoes, herbs, ½ tsp (2 mL) salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; simmer covered, stirring occasionally, for 10 min while preparing white sauce.

Melt remaining butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle with flour and remaining salt. Whisk about 1 min. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil then reduce heat; whisk 3 to 5 min until smooth and thickened.

Preheat broiler. Uncover meat sauce and simmer 5 more min. Discard bay leaf. Add meat sauce to drained pasta. Heat if needed. Transfer to a 9 x 13-inch (3 L) casserole dish. Top with dollops of Ricotta. Drizzle white sauce over top, spread, if needed, to cover. Sprinkle with Mozzarella. Broil 2 to 5 min or until cheese is bubbly.

Tips

As with all sauces, make them your own. Taste and adjust seasoning to your preferences.

Add 1½ tsp (7 mL) fennel seed to your sauce. Substitute penne or fusilli for rigatoni.

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Nutritional information

Per serving
Energy: 554 Calories
Protein: 22 g
Carbohydrate: 53 g
Fat: 23 g
Fibre: 4.3 g
Sodium: 583 mg

Top 5 Nutrients

(% DV*)
Calcium: 32 % / 350 mg
Folate: 82 %
Selenium: 127 %
Thiamin: 91 %
Vitamin B12: 109 %