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    Home » Dinner

    Easy Pasta al Forno Recipe

    Published: Feb 23, 2021 · Modified: May 16, 2022 by Radwa · This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Pasta al Forno is an easy classic Italian baked pasta dish. It is made with penne pasta tossed in a meat and tomato sauce and topped with lots of cheese, then baked to perfection for less than 30 minutes.

    This pasta casserole is perfect for a family dinner, big gathering, or celebrations.

    Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish.

    What does Pasta al Forno means?

    "al Forno" means food that is baked in the oven. Pasta al Forno is an Italian dish that can be made with lots of variations such as veggies, sausage, and chicken. However, the common thing between all the variations is cheese. This recipe loves cheese; the more, the better.

    Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish.

    Today I decided to make Pasta al Forno, and I usually make it a lot, so I went to the local store to buy ziti pasta. I bought pasta and other stuff as well, and when I came home, I discovered that I bought penne, not ziti. So, I decided to go with penne in making the recipe.

    Also, check my other pasta recipes; mushroom pasta, creamy garlic shrimp pasta, shrimp tomato spinach pasta, pasta with veggies and avocado pasta.

    What will you like about this recipe?

    • This recipe is budget-friendly.
    • Will feed a crowd.
    • Can make in advance.
    • It stores, freezes, and reheats very well.
    Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish.

    What's in Penne al Forno?

    For the Sauce:

    Minced beef: use extra lean beef
    Olive Oil: you can use cooking oil if you want
    Garlic: use four cloves of minced garlic
    Onion: finely chopped
    Tomato Sauce: any kind you prefer
    Seasonings: salt, black pepper, and Italian herbs.

    For Assembly:

    Cooked Pasta: Use penne or ziti and cook according to the package instructions.
    Mozzarella Cheese: shredded
    Fresh Parsley: finely chopped for garnishing (optional)

    Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish.

    How to make Pasta al Forno?

    Preparing the Pasta: Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions, then drain well.

    Making the Sauce: In a small pot, heat the oil, then add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute, until onion softened. Add the meat, stir for 1 minute, then add salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and tomato sauce. Stir, cook for 20-25 minutes.

    Cook the pasta in salted water
    steps of assembling the casserole:

    Assembling the casserole: Toss the pasta into the meat and tomato sauce, stir well until combined. Place the pasta in a 20x20 baking dish and sprinkle all the cheese on top of it.

    Baking: Bake at 180C for 20-25 minutes or until has a lovely brown colour.

    Let the pasta cool down for 10 minutes, then garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

    Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish.

    Top Tips:

    • Don't overcook the pasta because it will continue to bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes. It could become too soft.
    • You can make this baked pasta with white sauce (Béchamel sauce) instead of meat tomato sauce.
    • Feel free to make Pasta al Forno meat-free by using veggies such as cauliflower or zucchini instead of meat. You can also add some olives or cherry tomatoes.
    • You can use a mix between cheddar cheese and mozzarella (one cup of each) for extra flavour.
    • You can replace Italian herbs with dried basil and thyme (¼ teaspoon each).
    • If you want to make it ahead of time, you can assemble the casserole then put in the fridge, ready for baking.
    Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish.

    Recipe Variations:

    Make it with Veggies: You can add to the sauce any veggies you like, such as zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, peas, eggplant, or spinach.

    Make it with White Sauce (Béchamel sauce), follow the instructions below:

    In a small pot, add ¼ cup oil and ¼ cup butter on medium heat. Once the butter melts, add ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon plain flour, stir and cook for 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, and 3 cups of milk slowly (pour it in a tiny stream) while stirring vigorously. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens, then turn off the heat. 

    Make it with Another Protein: You don't have to stick with minced beef to make this dish; you can make it with sausage, minced turkey, or cooked chicken (diced).

    Use Different Cheese: Don't like to use mozzarella cheese? That is fine; you can use any other cheese you prefer, such as cheddar, fontina, or even mix of cheese.

    Easy pasta Recipes

    • Italian Pasta Salad
      Cold Salmon Pasta Salad
    • Avocado Pasta
      Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta
    • Baked pasta is layered with a well-seasoned beef mixture and topped with creamy bechamel sauce
      Macaroni Bechamel (Egyptian Baked Pasta)
    • Pasta E Fagioli Soup
      Old Fashioned Beef And Macaroni Soup

    Recipe FAQs

    Which pasta should you use?

    You can use any kind; however, I recommend using a short pasta such as rigatoni, Penne, Fusilli, and elbow.

    What is the best tomato sauce to use in making Pasta?

    In my opinion, the best tomato sauce is a homemade one. However, any good quality sauce will work fine in this recipe.

    How to store, freeze and reheat Pasta al Forno?

    To store it, cover well and put in the fridge for 3-4 days. To freeze it, put in a well-sealed container in the freezer for 1-2 months. Let it thaw completely before reheating, then put in the oven for 20 minutes or microwave for 2 minutes.

    Sometimes, I slice up the whole casserole and freeze every piece individually, that way it’s easier if I only need one portion or two.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve it with salad or roasted veggies. Below are some suggested recipes:

    • Spicy Roasted Cauliflower
    • Garlic Butter Sautéed Mushrooms
    • Homemade Coleslaw Salad
    Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish.

    More dinner recipes:

    Pan-Fried Sea Bass with soy sauce: This is a delicious way of eating sea bass with a delicious homemade sauce made with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. 

    Easy One-Pot Pasta with veggies: A simple pasta dish made with only veggies and pasta, no meat involved.

    Eggplant Lasagne: If you want to make a low carb lasagne, this recipe is a good choice for you. It’s made with eggplants, minced beef, and lots of cheese.

    Homemade Chicken Nuggets: Crispy chicken nuggets baked in the oven need few ingredients, and everyone is sure to love it.

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta
      Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
    • Mushroom Pasta Recipe
      Healthy Mushroom Pasta Recipe
    • Chinese style shrimp pasta cooked in a flavourful sauce. This sauce has fresh ginger, sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce and brown sugar.
      Shrimp And Mushroom Pasta Recipe
    • Easy One-Pot Pasta with Veggies
      Healthy Pasta With Mixed Vegetables Recipe
    Pasta al Forno is a classic Italian baked pasta dish
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Easy Pasta al Forno Recipe

    Pasta al Forno is an Italian dish that made with penne pasta, minced beef, and lots of cheese. It is east to make and perfect for a family dinner
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Italian
    Keyword Italian Baked Pasta, Pasta al Forno
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    Servings 9 servings
    Calories 332kcal
    Author Radwa

    Equipment

    • Pot
    • Baking pan

    Ingredients

    For the Sauce

    • 500 g minced beef
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 onion, finely chopped
    • 750 g tomato sauce
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Italian herbs

    For assembly

    • 350 g cooked pasta
    • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions, then drain well.
    • Next, In a small pot, heat the oil, then add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute, until onion softened. Add the meat, stir for 1 minute, then add salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and tomato sauce. Stir, cook for 20-25 minutes.
    • Toss the pasta into the meat and tomato sauce, stir well until combined. Place the pasta in a 20x20 baking dish and sprinkle all the cheese on top of it.
    • Bake at 180C for 20-25 minutes or until has a lovely brown colour.
    • Let the pasta cool down for 10 minutes, then garnish with chopped parsley (optional) and serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 760mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 532IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 3mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sophia

      March 14, 2021 at 4:47 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta was so delicious. I even added more mozzarella cheese to the meat sauce.

      Reply
    2. Brooklyn

      March 20, 2021 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      I made this baked pasta for my husband - He loved it! I am not a fan of baked pasta, but I loved this recipe too! I will make it again.

      Reply

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    Hello! I’m Radwa, A wife and mother. Also, I am the recipe maker and food photographer behind Healthy Life Trainer. I love making new, simple and quick recipes every day.

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