0 from 18 votes
Classic Pasta Al Forno Recipe
This classic dish is a delightful blend of pasta, savory meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese—a perfect comfort food.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Calories: 860 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni or ziti pasta plus reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion finely chopped
- 1 pounds ground pork sausage
- 6 ounces Italian sausage or 2 Italian sausage links, casings removed
- 3 cups 1 24oz jar or can tomato puree or passata
- 3 basil leaves torn
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste, plus extra for salting pasta cooking water
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese freshly grated from a block of cheese
- 1 cup Parmigiano Cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and cook until softened. Add ground pork and Italian sausage (casing removed), breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned.
- Pour in tomato puree (passata). Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
- Simmer the sauce for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add the basil during last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until 3 minutes before al dente (it will keep cooking in the oven). Drain pasta and reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Assemble Pasta al Forno: Combine the cooked rigatoni and reserved pasta water in the pan with the meat sauce (if the pan isn't large enough, mix in a large bowl). Stir well to combine. It will be saucy with the extra pasta water.
- Add 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the parmigiano cheese and stir to combine.
- Add the pasta mixture into the prepared pan and finish with the remaining mozzarella and parmigiano cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
- Serve and enjoy your authentic Italian Pasta al Forno!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Al Dente Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente (firm to the bite) before baking to ensure it maintains a good texture during the final baking.
- Flavorful Meat Sauce: Take time to develop the flavors in the meat sauce. Simmering with herbs and spices enhances the overall taste.
- Freshly Grated Cheese: Grate the mozzarella and parmigiano cheese fresh from the block for optimal melt and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese may contain anti-caking agents that affect texture.
Nutrition Information
Calories
860kcal
(43%)
Carbohydrates
71g
(24%)
Protein
42g
(84%)
Fat
45g
(69%)
Saturated Fat
18g
(90%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
19g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
117mg
(39%)
Sodium
1618mg
(67%)
Potassium
1063mg
(30%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
1119IU
(22%)
Vitamin C
16mg
(18%)
Calcium
441mg
(44%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6-8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 860
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 860kcal | 43% |
| Carbohydrates | 71g | 24% |
| Protein | 42g | 84% |
| Fat | 45g | 69% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 117mg | 39% |
| Sodium | 1618mg | 67% |
| Potassium | 1063mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 1119IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 16mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 441mg | 44% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.