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    Home » Main Dishes » Easy Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe 

    Published: Oct 24, 2022 · Modified: Oct 31, 2022 by Ajoke · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Easy Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe 

    Skip to Recipe - Print Recipe

    One pot rigatoni bologese recipe!  If you love spaghetti bolognese, this one-pot wonder dish made with shelled pasta will be up your alley.  The best part? It is simple to make, no need to precook the pasta- just toss it in with the delicious meat sauce!

    The flavor in this dish is incredible and the pasta comes out perfectly cooked every time. This easy weeknight dinner is packed with flavor and can be on your table in under an hour.

    a pot of pasta bolognese.

    Easy Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe 

    Do you know you can enjoy a good bolognese sauce without the endless simmering over the stove? Although the economy has been struggling as of late, that doesn't mean we have to skimp on flavor.

    If you love food that is rich and flavourful then this easy rigatoni bolognese recipe is for you. It is a one-pot dish, that is easy and quick with easy cleanup. This recipe is also dairy free as the creaminess in this dish is achieved by cooking the pasta in the sauce.

    Today's recipe is hands-down one of the best one-pot pasta recipes I have ever made and tasted. The flavor in this dish is incredibly rich, hearty, and satisfying. It is packed with melt-in-mouth,  flavorful ground beef, tender rigatoni pasta, and a robust tomato sauce. This recipe is so good, your friends and family will be asking you to make it again and again.

    This recipe starts with making the Italian best meat sauce every pasta or spaghetti dish needs. To do this, you'll need some ground beef or a mixture of beef and pork, mirepoix, tomato sauce, herbs and spices, and sugar.

    The sugar helps to balance out the acidity in the tomatoes and makes the sauce even more delicious. Don't worry, you only need a little about a tablespoon.

    Related recipes: 30 minutes spaghetti bolognese,creamy chicken and chorizo pasta, gnocchi bolognese and gnocchi in tomato sauce.

    rigatoni bologenese garnished with parmesan cheese on a plate.

    What Ingredients are in  rigatoni bolognese

    To make the best, easy, and most flavorful rigatoni bolognese that will become a family favorite, you will need the following ingredients

    Rigatoni pasta: use any other pasta of choice

    Olive oil

    Onion

    Carrot

    Celery

    Garlic

    Lean ground beef

    Passata: this is just strained tomatoes sub with chopped tomatoes or diced fire-roasted tomatoes

    Worcestershire sauce

    Tomato paste

    Italian seasoning

    Beef stock cube

    Brown sugar

    Chili flakes

    Salt and pepper, to taste

    Grated parmesan cheese to serve

    ingredients to make one pot pasta bolonese on a marble surface.

    How to make rigatoni bolognese

    Place a large dutch pot over medium-high heat and add in the olive oil. When the oil becomes hot, add the mirepoix- chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened for about 5 minutes.

    Next, add in the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Add in the ground beef, break it up, and cook until browned.

    Add tomato paste, beef stock cube, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, stir and cook until combined about 2-3 minutes.

    Stir in the passata, add dried rigatoni, pour water over it ( just enough to cover it), and stir to combine. Check for salt and adjust accordingly.

    Cook the rigatoni in the meat sauce for about 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is done to your liking stirring it often so that it doesn't burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Allow it to simmer on medium heat until the sauce is reduced, and thickens nicely.

    the step by step guide of making one pot pasta bolognese.

    Take it off the heat and serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a side of garlic bread.

    a ladle pushing pasta bolognese in a pot.

    How to store and reheat

    This dish can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply reheat it on the stove over medium heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water if the sauce has become too thick. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave.

    If reheating from frozen then it is best to reheat from frozen in the oven at 180C/365F. Make sure that the food is in an oven-safe dish.

    Watch how to make it

    FAQs

    Can i make rigatoni bolognese with sausage

    Yes, substitute ground beef for sausage meat if that is what you have at1¹ hand. sausage meat is basically seasoned pork meat that has been ground up, so it will work perfectly in this recipe.

    Can I make this ahead?

    Yes, the meat sauce can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. It can also be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months in an airtight container or Ziploc freezer bag. Make sure that the meat sauce is completely cooled before storing it. Thaw in the fridge overnight for the best result and reheat over the stovetop until piping hot.

    When you are ready to make the pasta, simply cook the rigatoni in the sauce according to the recipe instructions. Alternatively, cook the pasta separately and stir it into the sauce.

    What can I serve with rigatoni bolognese

    Rigatoni bolognese is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to add a side dish, a green salad, roasted or sauteed vegetables would be a great option. Garlic bread is also a delicious way to mop up all that delicious sauce. You will love it with any of the following

    Sauteed broccolini or stovetop broccoli

    Cheesy pesto garlic bread

    Cucumber tomato mozzarella salad

    rigatoni bolognese in a dutch oven pot.

    Easy Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe

    Ajoke
    One pot rigatoni bologese recipe! If you love spaghetti bolognese, this one-pot wonder dish made with shelled pasta will be up your alley. The best part? It is simple to make, no need to precook the pasta- just toss it in with the delicious meat sauce!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 5

    Equipment

    • large dutch oven pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 350 g rigatoni pasta use any other pasta of choice
    • 500 g lean ground beef about 1lb
    • 2 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 cup onion chopped
    • 1 cup carrot chopped
    • 1 cup celery chopped
    • 1 Tablespoon garlic minced
    • 500 g Passata
    • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • Tomato paste
    • ½ Tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 10g Beef stock cube
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon chili flakes or as needed
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Grated parmesan cheese to serve

    Instructions
     

    • Place a large dutch oven pot over medium-high heat and add in the olive oil. When the oil becomes hot, add the mirepoix- chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened (about 5 minutes or so).
    • Next, add in the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Add in the ground beef, break it up, and cook until browned.
    • Add tomato paste, beef stock cube, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, stir and cook until combined about 2-3 minutes.
    • Stir in the passata, add dried rigatoni, pour water over it ( just enough to cover it), and stir to combine. Check for salt and adjust accordingly.
    • Cook the rigatoni in the meat sauce for about 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is done to your liking stirring it often so that it doesn't burn. Allow it to simmer on medium heat until the sauce is reduced, and thickens nicely.
    • Take it off the heat and serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a side of garlic bread.

    Notes

    PS: I added about 67oz/ 3¼ pints of water to cook the pasta
    How to store and reheat
    This dish can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply reheat it on the stove over medium heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water if the sauce has become too thick. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave.
    If reheating from frozen then it is best to reheat from frozen in the oven at 180C/365F. Make sure that the food is in an oven-safe dish.

    Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

    Keyword one pot bolognese, rigatoni bologenese
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thedinnerbite or tag #thedinnerbite!
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    And there you have it, a simple and easy rigatoni bolognese recipe that you can make at home under 40 minutes. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox

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    Filed Under: Main Dishes

    About Ajoke

    Hello, Nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience

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    It is really nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience.

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