Layered and baked like a lasagna - a beautiful and colorful dish that's easy to make and will get rave reviews with your family and friends! Create your own restaurant-worthy meal with Lasagna-Style Creamy Baked Pasta - a delicious ricotta blend mix, mozzarella, parmesan, and even provolone with an irresistible meat sauce made with store-bought pasta sauce!
Cook rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain water and set the pasta aside until assembly.
Ricotta Cheese Mix
Whisk all ingredients together to combine well. Refrigerate until ready to use
Pasta Meat Sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add ground beef, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and brown the meat until no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain the fat from the pan.
Return the beef and onion mixture back to the stovetop over medium-high heat and pour in the pasta sauce. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and crushed red chili pepper. Combine well and cook until it begins to bubble. Then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Taste test and add additional seasoning as needed to preferred taste.
Assembly
Spoon a layer of prepared meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Then follow this layering pattern: noodles, ricotta cheese mix, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese, meat sauce, sprinkle parmesan cheese, noodles, ricotta cheese mix, mozzarella cheese, noodles, meat sauce, sprinkle parmesan cheese, then top with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Allow the dish to cool and rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped basil over the top prior to serving.