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    Home » Food

    Pasta Al Forno

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    By Pina Bresciani ⁠— May 12, 2021 (updated August 23, 2022) — Leave a Comment

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    This pasta is al forno is baked pasta with a bolognese ragu sauce, bechamel, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano. It's baked until the cheese is melted and everything is delicious. You can't go wrong with pasta al forno!

    Pasta al forno simply means "oven baked pasta" in Italian. The pasta is boiled like you would prepare regular pasta, then it's mixed with a sauce, layered in a baking dish with cheese, and baked in the oven

    There are many versions of pasta al forno - some with hard boiled egg, tiny meatballs and bechamel, and there are countless vegetarian versions - some with eggplant, and various vegetables.

    Pasta al forno in a baking tray

    This version uses rigatoni or penne, a rich ragu made with pancetta and beef, tomatoes, bechamel and melted cheese. They're classic flavors that make a delicious pasta bake.

    Pasta al forno in a white dish

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    Pasta Al Forno

    This pasta is al forno is baked pasta with a bolognese ragu sauce, bechamel, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano. It's baked until the cheese is melted and everything is delicious. You can't go wrong with pasta al forno!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 3 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 897kcal
    Author Pina Bresciani

    Ingredients

    For the sauce

    • 1 serving bolognese sauce

    For the bechamel

    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • ⅓ cup flour
    • 1 litre whole milk
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • salt to taste

    For the pasta

    • 750 g rigatoni or penne pasta
    • 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
    • 1 cup grated parmigiano reggiano

    Instructions

    Make the sauce according to the bolognese sauce recipe

      Make the bechamel

      • In a pan, melt the butter. Add the flour. Once the flour is mixed in, pour in the milk slowly and whisk while pouring it in.
      • Add nutmeg and salt. Keep whisking until bechamel has thickened. As it reached the boiling point, it will thicken significantly. Keep whisking for an additional 5-10 minutes. This should take about 20-30 minutes total.

      Assemble the pasta bake

      • Cook the pasta in boiling salted water. Make sure it is very al dente when taken out because the pasta will also cook slightly when baked.
      • Drain the pasta and place it in a large bowl. Add about ¾ of the sauce and mix well.
      • Add sauce to the bottom of a large/deep baking dish. Add half the pasta to the dish. Top with half the bechamel, half the mozzarella and half the parmigiano.
      • Add with remaining pasta, and top with remaining sauce, bechamel, mozzarella, and parmigiano.
      • Bake at 375°F for 30-45 minutes, or until heated through.
      • Serve and enjoy!

      Recipe Notes

      • I typically simmer the bolognese for around 3 hours (as indicated in the recipe), but for this pasta al forno recipe, I simmered the sauce for only about 2 hours, since it will thicken up in the oven.
      Nutrition Facts
      Pasta Al Forno
      Amount Per Serving
      Calories 897 Calories from Fat 387
      % Daily Value*
      Fat 43g66%
      Saturated Fat 19g119%
      Trans Fat 1g
      Cholesterol 120mg40%
      Sodium 446mg19%
      Potassium 714mg20%
      Carbohydrates 84g28%
      Fiber 5g21%
      Sugar 6g7%
      Protein 40g80%
      Vitamin A 2750IU55%
      Vitamin C 6mg7%
      Calcium 297mg30%
      Iron 4mg22%
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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      My name is Pina and I love Italian food and culture! Here you'll find delicious Italian-inspired recipes with a fresh west coast spin. Buon Appetito! About Me

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