Golden rigatoni pasta baked in a luscious garlic butter sauce, swirled with savory ground beef and melty cheese—this dish is a comfort food dream. It’s the kind of cozy pasta bake that gets devoured straight from the pan, and it’s surprisingly easy to pull off on any weeknight.

Each bite delivers the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy richness with just the right hint of garlic and herbs. The ground beef adds hearty satisfaction, while the gooey cheese on top creates that crave-worthy pull you only get from the best baked pastas. Whether you’re serving a hungry family or prepping meals for the week, this recipe checks all the boxes.

What Kind of Pasta Works Best for Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni?

Rigatoni is the ideal shape for this recipe because its wide tubes and ridges trap the creamy garlic butter sauce and ground beef beautifully. It holds up well to baking, remaining satisfyingly firm while soaking in all the rich flavors. If you don’t have rigatoni, penne or ziti are good alternatives that will still give you a great result.

Ingredients for the Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef

Rigatoni Pasta: The base of the dish, rigatoni offers a hearty texture and deep grooves perfect for catching sauce.

Ground Beef: Provides the savory, protein-rich bite that anchors the whole meal.

Garlic Butter Sauce: Made with real butter, fresh garlic, and cream, this is where the silky magic happens.

Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds that gooey, stretchy topping everyone loves.

Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and nutty, it balances the richness with a bit of edge.

Heavy Cream: Essential for making the sauce creamy and indulgent.

Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh finish and a pop of color to the final plate.

Salt & Pepper: Seasoning essentials to round out the flavors.

How To Make the Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and simmer gently until slightly thickened. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and let it melt into the sauce.

Step 4: Combine and Layer

Return the ground beef to the skillet and add the cooked rigatoni. Toss everything together until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with shredded mozzarella.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the dish under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

How to Serve and Store This Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni

Serve it hot from the oven with a side of garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete dinner. It pairs wonderfully with a light red wine or sparkling water with lemon. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or microwave individual portions. You can also freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble everything in your baking dish, cover, and refrigerate up to a day in advance. Bake when ready to serve.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken both work well and make a leaner alternative.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

You can substitute with half-and-half or a mix of milk and a tablespoon of flour to thicken.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes! Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or even chopped zucchini blend in perfectly.

What cheese is best for topping?

Mozzarella is the classic go-to, but a mix of mozzarella and provolone or fontina adds extra depth.

Is this dish spicy?

Not at all. But if you like heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce gives it a gentle kick.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you love this hearty rigatoni bake, you’ll definitely want to try these other satisfying dishes:

One-Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta for an easy stovetop version.
Cheesesteak Tortellini in Rich Provolone Sauce when you want cheesy comfort with a twist.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli for extra flavor and veggies.
Red Pepper Rigatoni if you’re craving a peppery kick.
Creamy Alfredo Lasagna Soup for a cozy bowl that eats like a pasta bake.

For more recipes just like this, visit my Pinterest page where I share daily dishes on Life with Jam.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go all beef or swap in turkey? Did you sneak in some mushrooms or spinach?

I love seeing your takes on these meals. Don’t hesitate to share tips or ask questions—let’s make every meal easier and tastier together!

Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef

Author: Jam Scott
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

A comforting pasta bake layered with savory ground beef, creamy garlic butter sauce, and melty cheeses. This rigatoni dish is golden, gooey, and baked to perfection—an easy weeknight indulgence your whole family will crave.