Pasta al Forno
If you're looking for a hearty, comforting dinner recipe that's rich in flavor, you've come to the right place. Translated as "baked pasta" in Italian, Pasta al Forno is a traditional Italian pasta dish that is layered with homemade sauce, pasta, cheese and baked until bubbly and golden. This recipe is similar to the concept of casserole or lasagna and guaranteed to be a favorite around your table.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta
- 1/4 cup pasta water
- 16 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 3 cups mozzarella shredded and sliced
- 8 garlic cloves smashed
- 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.12 ounces pasta, 1/4 cup pasta water
- In a large pan or skillet, add extra virgin olive oil, smashed garlic, cherry tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and seasonings. Stir to combine. Let the sauce come to a simmer, bursting the tomato with the back of a wooden spoon. Add in the pasta water reserve and fresh basil and simmer for 20-25 minutes until slightly thickened. Note: I’ve noticed the sauce thickens faster when using a larger surface pan versus an actual, smaller sauce pot. Also, don't skip out on the crushed red pepper flakes or fresh basil. It helps cut through the acidity of the tomatoes.16 ounces cherry tomatoes, 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, ½ cup olive oil, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 8 garlic cloves, 1 Tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Once the layers are all cooked, it's time to assemble! In a large oven safe baking dish, alternate each layer of ingredients, starting with cooked pasta, then sauce and cheese. Repeat until you have no more ingredients. Garnish the top with mozzarella slices and shredded cheese. Note: I like to alternate the cheese layers with sliced and shredded mozzarella. Feel free to just use shredded.3 cups mozzarella
- Bake at 450°F / 232°C for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Nutrition
Calories: 449kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 17gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 695mgPotassium: 555mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 854IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 268mgIron: 3mg
The provided nutritional value above is an estimate per serving. 100% accuracy is not guarenteed. Please see Nutrition Information Disclaimer in our Privacy Policy.
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