Go Back
Baked Caprese rigatoni with tomato sauce, melted cheese, and fresh basil

Baked Caprese Rigatoni with Tomato Basil and Cheese

Baked Caprese Rigatoni is a hearty pasta bake with saucy rigatoni, melted cheese, fresh basil, and layered tomato flavors. It is a comforting choice for a flavorful weeknight meal or a gathering.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 303
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 lb. uncooked rigatoni
Sauce
  • 6 small fresh tomatoes, diced
  • 1 12-ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes
  • 2 1/2 cups jarred tomato sauce
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn or sliced into ribbons
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Topping
  • ½ block grated cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the rigatoni according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and set it aside. Preheat the broiler.
  2. Warm olive oil in a large skillet. Cook the diced onion and minced garlic over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
Cooking
  1. Add the crushed or diced canned tomatoes and fresh diced tomatoes to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, then simmer for 5-10 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
  2. Stir in half of the basil and cook for 1 minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and combine the tomato mixture with the cooked pasta.
  3. Add the tomato sauce and stir until the rigatoni is coated. Add more sauce if needed for the desired saucy consistency. Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish or skillet.
Baking
  1. Cover the pasta with grated cheese and place it under the broiler for 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  2. Finish with the remaining fresh basil and serve.

Notes

I used all three types of tomatoes because I enjoy the different textures they add to the sauce. You can leave one out and replace it with more of another depending on what you have available or the texture you prefer.