Pasta Al Forno

5 from 1 vote

This Pasta Al Forno casserole is a comforting and flavorful baked pasta. Layers of tender pasta, rich sauce and cheese come together in this delicious pasta dinner recipe.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Course: Easy Soup Recipes, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 213kcal

Author: Raquel Pineira

Equipment

large skillet or large sauté pan
casserole dish

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
2 pounds mild Italian sausage casings removed
1 yellow onion finely chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
3 cups jar of pasta sauce
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

For Casserole Assembly

3 cups rigatoni pasta or other similar cooked according to package directions
2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Fresh basil as garnish

Instructions

Saute onion in a large skillet with olive oil. Add minced garlic and stir for one minute.
Add Italian sausage and stir until fully cooked.
In the meantime, cook rigatoni in a large pot of water, following its package directions.
Once the sausage is cooked, incorporate pasta sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes to bold in flavors. Stir occasionally to avoid burning on the bottom of the pan.
Combine cooked pasta with the sausage mixture. Then, transfer it to a baking dish.
Top it with shredded mozzarella and bake 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and is golden brown.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Break the Italian sausage into small, uniform pieces using a spatula or wooden spoon as you cook it. This ensures even cooking and allows the sausage to blend seamlessly with the sauce.

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.

When boiling the pasta, cook it until it is al dente, meaning it’s firm to the bite. Since the pasta will continue cooking in the oven, this prevents it from becoming mushy.

If you want a golden, bubbly crust, switch your oven to broil for the last few minutes. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning the cheese.

Nutrition