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How to Make Pasta al Forno - A Step-by-Step Guide

Pasta al forno, which translates to "baked pasta" in Italian, is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers throughout the week. This classic Italian dish is a delicious combination of pasta, cheese, and a flavorful tomato sauce, all baked together until bubbly and golden brown.

While there are many variations of pasta al forno, the basic components remain the same: cooked pasta, a rich and savory tomato sauce, and plenty of gooey, melted ch...

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed
  • 2 red onions, finely chopped
  • ½ pound ground beef, or more to taste
  • ½ pound bacon, chopped
  • ¼ cup white wine, or as needed
  • 2 (26 ounce) packages chopped tomatoes (such as Pomi®)
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 4 tablespoons white sugar, or more to taste
  • salt to taste
  • 1 (16 ounce) package rotini pasta (such as Barilla®)
  • 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
  • ⅓ pound chopped provolone cheese
  • ⅓ pound chopped mozzarella cheese

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 2 9x13-inch baking dishes

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Add onions and cook slowly until moisture has evaporated but onions are not dark brown, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and bacon. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until meat is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Pour wine into the skillet and cook until evaporated, 1 to 3 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste. Fill tomato paste can with water and pour in. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook sauce, uncovered, until oil no longer appears on the surface, about 30 minutes. Add sugar and salt; cook and stir until dissolved, about 3 minutes more.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta at a boil for about 5 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water. Return pasta to the pot and add a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9x13-inch baking dishes.
  • Add about 1 cup sauce and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese to the pot with the cooked pasta.
  • Spoon a thin layer of pasta into each prepared baking dish. Top each with a thin layer of provolone and mozzarella cheeses. Add sauce. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, cheeses, and sauce; finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until hot and melted, 30 to 45 minutes.

    • Nutrition

    366 cal.

    • Total Fat: 13g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 37mg
    • Sodium: 689mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 42g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 11g
    • Protein: 19g
    • Vitamin C: 14mg
    • Calcium: 273mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 514mg

    Categories

    Baked recipes
    Cheese recipes
    Meat recipes
    Vegetable recipes
    Seafood recipes