**Pasta al Forno: A Classic Italian Dish with a Rich History**
Pasta al Forno, meaning "baked pasta" in Italian, is a delectable dish that seamlessly blends the flavors of pasta, cheese, and sauce, topped with a crispy golden crust. This timeless Italian dish has its roots in the southern regions, particularly in Naples and Sicily, where it is a staple comfort food. Pasta al Forno is a versatile dish that allows for endless variations, each region and family boasting their own unique recipe. In this article, we present two delectable recipes that capture the essence of this classic dish: a traditional Neapolitan-style Pasta al Forno and a lighter, yet equally flavorful, Vegetarian Pasta al Forno. Both recipes promise an unforgettable culinary journey, offering a harmonious balance of textures and flavors.
PASTA AL FORNO (BAKED PASTA THE ITALIAN WAY)
This recipe is based on my Sicilian mother-in-law's version of pasta al forno. It's rich and tasty and perfect for when you have a large number to feed!
Provided by Jacqueline Debono
Categories Main Course
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Chop the carrot, onion, garlic and celery finely.
- Fry the vegetables in olive oil until they are softening. Be careful not to allow them to burn!
- Add the minced meat and cook until browned.
- Then add the tomato concentrate and stir well
- Add the glass of wine and stir well again
- When the wine has evaporated pour in the tomato pulp and mix it in well with the meat.
- Add the basil leaves and salt and pepper as required.
- Cover the sauce and allow to simmer on a low heat for at least an hour, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick. If it gets too thick add some water.
- 15 minutes before the sauce is ready add the peas.
- Put salted water on to boil for the pasta. Cook the pasta 2-3 minutes less than instructed on the packet. Strain and add the pasta to the meat sauce when it is ready.
- Mix the pasta and sauce well and allow to cool.
- Put a layer of pasta with sauce on the bottom of an oven dish.
- Make another layer with thick pieces of mozzarella.
- Add another layer of pasta with meat sauce and again some mozzarella
- Finish with a layer of pasta.
- Sprinkle with parmesan and bake in a pre-heated oven 180-200° until the top layer starts to crisp (30-40 mins)
PASTA AL FORNO
Steps:
- For the sauce: Cover the bottom of a medium saucepan with oil and garlic and cook over medium heat until garlic browns. Add sauce, basil, salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
- For the pappardelle pasta: Make a bed of all-purpose flour, then make a well and add eggs. Fold all together, adding in more flour if needed, and knead until a dough ball is formed, then set aside and cover for 30 minutes.
- Run dough through a pasta sheeter to form pappardelle pasta (broad flat noodles).
- For the meatballs: Combine the beef, pork, veal, panko, Parmesan, salt, pepper and eggs in a bowl. Mixture should be on the drier side. If need be, add more panko. Form quarter-size meatballs. Heat a medium frying pan with oil and fry each meatball to a golden brown color.
- For the pasta al forno: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add sauce to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, along with the ricotta. Stir together, then add mozzarella and the meatballs. Let the cheese melt down.
- Meanwhile, drop the pasta into boiling salted water for about 7 minutes. Strain and add to the baking dish. Mix around, then bake in oven for 10 minutes.
MOM'S PASTA AL FORNO
Mom used to make this pasta al forno on special days, like on holidays and a lot of Sundays. It was a big treat for us. It is a lot of work because of all the ingredients that you have to layer on the pasta but it's well worth it. You can choose whatever you like in the ziti, but we love it just like this. It's filling and it's good.
Provided by sabinact
Categories 100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes
Time 1h55m
Yield 14
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion; saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato puree and water; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in sugar and basil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce is cooking, bring a very large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add ground beef to cooked pasta. Mix in enough tomato sauce to lightly coat the pasta.
- Mix ricotta cheese and water in a bowl until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Spread a ladleful of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add 1/2 of the pasta, all of the ricotta cheese, peas, and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Layer the sliced eggs on every section of the pasta; cover with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Pour remaining pasta, Parmesan cheese, sauce, and mozzarella on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting, so slices don't fall apart.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 561 calories, Carbohydrate 67.6 g, Cholesterol 111.3 mg, Fat 18.9 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 30.1 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 771.2 mg, Sugar 13.4 g
PASTA AL FORNO
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring large pot of water to boil, then salt and cook pasta to al dente on the chewy side, 7 minutes. Once your pasta water comes to a boil to cook ziti, preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
- To medium skillet over medium heat add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan. Cook onions and garlic in oil 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a bubble. Add cream and season sauce with cinnamon, salt and pepper. Add chopped prosciutto to sauce and stir with cooked pasta to combine. Coat a medium casserole with the butter. Adjust seasonings and transfer pasta to casserole. Cover pasta with Parmigiano-Reggiano and place in the oven for 10 minutes. Serve hot from oven.
PASTA AL FORNO
Nonna Susanna's recipe for meat sauce and pasta that is baked in the oven and great for using leftovers.
Provided by MKK
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h35m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- 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 Facts : Calories 366.1 calories, Carbohydrate 41.8 g, Cholesterol 36.8 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 19.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 688.6 mg, Sugar 11 g
PASTA FAGIOLI AL FORNO
The name of this Italian-inspired dish means "baked pasta with beans." But my busy family translates it as "super satisfying dinner." -Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain., Meanwhile, drain tomatoes, reserving juices; coarsely chop tomatoes. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook and crumble sausage with onion, carrot, celery and garlic over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes; drain. Stir in tomato paste, seasonings, chopped tomatoes and reserved juices; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes., Stir in beans and 1/4 cup each Parmesan cheese and parsley. Stir in pasta. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with fontina cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese., Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover; bake until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 440 calories, Fat 23g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 1029mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 22g protein.
Tips:
- Use high-quality, flavorful ingredients for the best results.
- Don't overcook the pasta, or it will become mushy.
- Use a combination of cheeses that melt well together, such as mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Layer the pasta, sauce, and cheese in a baking dish, and then cover it with foil before baking.
- Bake the pasta al forno until it is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Let the pasta al forno cool for a few minutes before serving, so that the flavors can meld together.
Conclusion:
Pasta al forno is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great option for a weeknight meal or a weekend gathering. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a pasta al forno recipe that everyone will love.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#60-minutes-or-less #time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #cuisine #preparation #occasion #casseroles #main-dish #beef #eggs-dairy #pasta #poultry #oven #european #italian #cheese #chicken #dietary #comfort-food #ground-beef #meat #pasta-rice-and-grains #brunch #taste-mood #equipment
You'll also love