Have you ever wondered How to Make Baked Pasta? If you know how to boil water, you can make this classic Italian recipe for pasta al forno aka baked pasta.
Italian flat leaf parsleyto garnish, fresh, chopped
Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheeseto garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Tomato Sauce. If more convenient can use commercial.
Make the meat mixture:
While the tomato sauce is simmering, sauté the chopped onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until beginning to soften (3-4 minutes).
Add 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic, a few pinches of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste, and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes stirring frequently.
Add the lean minced meat. Saute and break up the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook until cooked through about 5-7 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Turn the heat to medium-high. De-glaze pan with 2 tablespoons of white wine.
Drain the fat from the meat and add to the simmering pot of tomato sauce.
Boil the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the pasta.
Cook according to the package instructions minus 3-4 minutes since the pasta continues to bake in the oven.
Note: Add 1-2 cups of the pasta water to the tomato meat sauce. The goal is to have a very “loose” sauce. The pasta will absorb the extra liquid.
To Assemble:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the oven grate in the center.
Place the drained pasta in a large mixing bowl. Add the tomato meat sauce and mix together thoroughly.
Add 2 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese, 4 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese, 2 tablespoons of Italian flat-leaf parsley and 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped basil. Mix thoroughly together.
Place the mixture in a 13 x 9″ baking dish. Top with 2 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese, and 4 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese.
Place in a preheated oven and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Taste for doneness.
Place under broiler for a couple of minutes or until the cheese becomes bubbly and begins to turn golden.
Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated cheese.
Notes
Taste throughout the preparation and adjust accordingly.
Reduce the total boiling time of the pasta by 3-4 minutes to avoid getting overcooked pasta noodles.
This pasta recipe works with any lean ground meat (chicken, veal, beef or sausage.
Add 1-2 cups of pasta water to the tomato/meat sauce. This is absorbed by the pasta when it is baking.
Allow the casserole dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
What is the best pasta to use for this pasta casserole? Short pasta with deep ridges such as penne, rigatoni, or ziti. Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.