Baked Rigatoni with Homemade Meatballs

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. Its 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