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Pasta al Forno

Pasta al Forno
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Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish made with layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese—perfect for family dinners or special gatherings.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 400g (14 oz) rigatoni or penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 400g (14 oz) ground beef or sausage
  • 1 can (400g/14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup béchamel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just under al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
  5. Mix the cooked pasta with the meat sauce and half of the béchamel sauce.
  6. In a greased baking dish, layer half the pasta mixture, then add half the mozzarella and béchamel. Repeat with remaining pasta, béchamel, and mozzarella.
  7. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
  8. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

  • You can prepare this dish in advance and refrigerate before baking.
  • Swap beef with sausage or a plant-based alternative for variation.
  • For extra richness, add a layer of ricotta cheese between the pasta layers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.cookflash.com/pasta-al-forno/