“This is my go-to recipe for potlucks and meal trains! People rave about it every time.”
Pasta al Forno
Warm, hearty, and full of flavor, this baked rigatoni dish is the ultimate comfort food. Made with a savory Italian sausage and tomato sauce, then topped with melty mozzarella and Parmesan, it’s perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Rigatoni pasta | 1 lb |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Yellow onion, finely diced | 1 |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Italian sausage | 1 lb |
| Tomato puree | 1 can (1 lb) |
| Salt | 1½ teaspoons |
| Black pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Oregano | 1 teaspoon |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese | 2½ cups, divided |
| Parmesan cheese, shredded | ½ cup |
Instructions:
- Cook the Aromatics: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Sauté until fully browned. Drain off any extra fat.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the tomato puree along with ¼ cup of water. Season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Turn the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 30 minutes so the flavors can develop.
- Prepare the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until just shy of al dente, since it will finish cooking in the oven. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: After the sauce has simmered, stir in the cooked pasta. Add 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Mix thoroughly. If the mixture looks dry, add a bit more pasta water as needed.
- Assemble and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and all the Parmesan over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden in spots, and the edges are bubbling.
