There's something about a warm, cheesy baked pasta that just brings everyone to the table, and this rigatoni bake does exactly that, with a lighter, feel-good twist. We're using lean ground turkey, creamy cottage cheese, and a rich marinara to create all that classic comfort without weighing things down. It's the kind of dinner you can pull together on a busy weeknight, but it still feels special enough to serve when you've got people over. Cozy, satisfying, and packed with protein, this is one of those meals you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Top Tip
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Related
Pairing
Rigatoni Bake with Cottage Cheese, Ground Turkey and Marinara

Ingredients

Everything here is simple, wholesome, and easy to keep on hand-just real ingredients coming together for a cozy, satisfying bake your whole family will love.

Rigatoni
Ground turkey
Olive oil
Cottage cheese (full fat preferred)
Shredded mozzarella cheese (plus more for topping)
Grated Parmesan
Egg
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper
Marinara sauce

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

This comes together in a few simple, comforting steps-perfect for a weeknight when you still want something homemade and nourishing on the table:

Prep the oven and dish. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
Brown the turkey. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning, and cook until no longer pink. Let it cool slightly.
Make the cheese mixture. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked ground turkey until well mixed.
Combine everything. Add the cooked rigatoni to the bowl and gently stir to coat. Pour in about half of the marinara sauce and mix until everything is evenly combined.
Assemble the bake. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Spread the remaining marinara sauce over the top and finish with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella.
Bake until bubbly. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the top is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.

Top Tip

Let the bake rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving-this helps everything set up nicely and makes it easier to scoop.

Substitutions

One of the best parts about a cozy pasta bake like this is how flexible it is-you can easily make swaps based on what you have on hand or what works best for your family.

Ground turkey: Swap with ground chicken, lean ground beef, or even Italian sausage for a richer flavor. You can also use a plant-based ground for a vegetarian option.
Cottage cheese: If you're not a fan, ricotta is the most natural substitute and will give you a slightly smoother, more traditional texture.
Mozzarella: Use shredded provolone, fontina, or an Italian cheese blend for a different flavor profile. Part-skim works great if you want it a bit lighter.
Parmesan: Pecorino Romano or Asiago are great alternatives with a similar salty, nutty bite.
Rigatoni: Any short pasta works here-penne, ziti, or even fusilli will hold the sauce and cheese mixture well.
Marinara sauce: Use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade if you have it. You can also swap in a spicy arrabbiata for a little heat.
Italian seasoning: Use a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme if you don't have a blend on hand.

Variations

If you're cooking for different tastes or just want to keep things interesting, this bake is such a great base to build from-easy to tweak depending on what your family is craving that week.

Spicy - Add red pepper flakes to the turkey while it cooks or use a spicy marinara to bring a little heat to the dish.
Veggie-Packed - Stir in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or chopped broccoli to boost the nutrients and add more texture.
Extra Cheesy - Mix in ricotta along with the cottage cheese or layer in extra mozzarella for a more indulgent, classic baked pasta feel.
High-Protein - Use a high-protein pasta and keep the full-fat cottage cheese for an extra satisfying, protein-packed meal.
Kid-Friendly - Keep it simple with just turkey, pasta, and cheese, or finely chop veggies and mix them in so they blend right into the sauce.
Herby Fresh - Finish with fresh basil or parsley right before serving to brighten everything up and add that fresh, homemade touch.
Make It Deluxe - Add a layer of sautéed onions and garlic, or top with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs for a little golden crunch on top.

Equipment

You don't need anything fancy here-just a few everyday kitchen staples to bring this cozy bake together with ease.

Large pot (for boiling pasta)
Colander (for draining)
Large skillet or sauté pan
Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
Wooden spoon or spatula 9x13-inch baking dish
Aluminum foil
Measuring cups and spoons
Chef's knife and cutting board

Storage

This is one of those meals that's just as good the next day-maybe even better once everything has had time to settle and the flavors come together.

Refrigerator: Let the bake cool completely, then cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can freeze the baked pasta (whole or in portions) for up to 2-3 months. Wrap tightly with foil or store in freezer-safe containers.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until hot. Add a splash of water or extra marinara if needed to keep it from drying out.

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with: