Pasta Al Forno Easy Weeknight Casserole

This classic Italian baked pasta dish is a treat for the whole family. This delicious comfort food is packed with saucy sausage and rigatoni pasta and topped with lots of cheese before being baked to golden brown perfection. It’s a simple recipe that comes together quickly for a tasty weeknight or weekend meal.

I love making simple and delicious recipes. And my entire family loves this classic Italian pasta al forno. Everyone always goes for seconds. That’s when you know a recipe is a true winner.

This delicious and easy baked pasta dinner is packed with pieces of sausage, onions and garlic swimming in saucy pasta and topped with tons of cheese, then cooked to a gorgeous golden brown.

Say goodbye to the laborious layering of lasagna. Once you try this amazing al forno, you might never make a layered lasagna again.

For more amazing easy and budget-friendly pasta recipes, try my Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese, my Chicken Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil, my best Parmesan Buttered Noodles and my Skillet Spaghetti

Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Pasta

• Delicious – This flavorful meal features savory Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and garlic for a flavorful base for the creamy, rich tomato sauce and topped with lots of cheese.
• Easy Dinner – This easy Pasta al Forno recipe is one of those easy pasta recipes that comes together quickly with simple ingredients. This gorgeous pasta bake is perfect for a tasty weeknight or weekend meal. 
• Comfort Food – This baked pasta recipe is a treat for the whole family. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients for Classic Pasta al Forno

This classic Italian recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients for the best tasting results.

For the Sausage Filling

Olive oil

Mild Italian sausage – remove the casings before cooking

Yellow onion – finely chopped

Fresh garlic cloves – minced

Pasta sauce – use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade pasta sauce recipe

Shredded parmesan cheese 

For Assembly

Rigatoni or other similar pasta – cooked to “al dente” according to package directions

Fresh mozzarella cheese – shredded

Fresh parsley – chopped

Fresh basil leaves – for garnish

Equipment Needed To Make Pasta al Forno

• Large skillet or large saute pan
• Casserole dish

Substitutions & Alterations

• You can use ground beef, ground pork or a combination of these in place of the Italian sausage
• Sub any short pasta for the rigatoni. There are so many types of pasta to choose from.

How to Make Pasta al Forno

Step by Step Instructions overview – Full recipe in recipe card below. 

Step 1  – Sauté onion in a large skillet with olive oil. Add minced garlic and stir for one minute.

Step 2 – Prepare the pasta in a large pot of water until al dente. While the pasta cooks, begin to cook the sausage over medium heat. 

Step 3 – Add the pasta sauce to the sausage mixture and simmer.

Step 4 – Add the Parmesan cheese to the meat sauce.

Step 5 – Add the drained, cooked pasta and add all to the baking dish.

Step 6 – Top with lots of Mozzarella cheese and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Remove oven-baked pasta from the oven and cool.

Top with fresh Basil leaves.

Time Saving Tips & Tricks for the Best Pasta al Forno

• Break the sausage into small pieces resembling ground meat with a spatula or wooden spoon as you cook it to ensure even doneness.
• If the sausage releases a lot of fat during cooking, consider draining some of it off to prevent the dish from becoming too greasy. Leave a small amount for flavor.
• Boil the pasta until it is al dente, meaning it’s firm to the bite. Since the pasta will continue cooking in the oven, this prevents the final result from becoming mushy.
• Bake in the middle position of the oven for best results. 
• If you want a really golden, bubbly crust, switch your oven to broil for the last few minutes of cooking time. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning the cheese.
• This is a great recipe to prepare a day ahead of time and warm up in the oven. Enjoying the next day also gives the flavors more time to meld. 
• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How to Serve Pasta al Forno – Easy Dinner Ideas

• Top the fresh baked pasta with shredded Parmesan cheese, parmigiano-reggiano cheese and/or with red chili pepper flakes
• Pair this classic pasta bake with some delicious Garlic Knots, Sourdough Focaccia or this Easy Garlic Bread 
• Add this Simple Caprese Salad my Burrata Caprese Salad or a Spring Greens Salad
• If you partake, this goes great with a glass of red wine!

How to Store Leftover Pasta

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftover al forno will be good for up to 3-5 days when stored properly

You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. I like to freeze individual portion sizes for easy grab and go meals. Make sure the pasta is cooled completely before storing.

How to Reheat

Place pasta in a microwave safe plate or dish and heat on high for 2 minutes. Stir and reheat in 30 second increments until heated through. 

FAQs

What does “al forno” mean?

The term “al forno” means “to the oven” or “baked”. It’s a general term used for a wide variety of dishes. Forno is the Italian word for “oven”.

Can I freeze leftover pasta?

Yes. Most pasta dishes will be good for up to 3 months when stored properly in the freezer.

What to Make Next

When it comes to comforting pasta dishes, I’ve got some easy and delicious favorites that make weeknight dinners a breeze! My Easy Cavatappi Pasta is a simple, saucy meal that comes together quickly, while my Lazy Lasagna gives you all the cheesy, hearty layers with just 3 My Skillet Spaghetti and my Chicken Parmesan Pasta are also super easy Family Favorites.

More Easy Pasta Dishes

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

One Pot Beef Pasta

Creamy Basil Chicken Pasta

Pesto Meatballs and Spaghetti

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