In the realm of Italian cuisine, few dishes evoke the warmth and comfort of home like "Nonna Maria's Pasta al Forno," a delectable baked pasta that has been passed down through generations. Originating from the heart of Italy, this culinary masterpiece is a symphony of flavors and textures, combining the richness of tomato sauce, the heartiness of pasta, the gooeyness of melted cheese, and the aromatic embrace of herbs and spices. With its golden-brown crust and tantalizing aroma, "Nonna Maria's Pasta al Forno" is not just a meal; it's an experience that transports you to the heart of an Italian grandmother's kitchen, where love and tradition intertwine to create a dish that nourishes both body and soul.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
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.
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.
NONNA'S BAKED ZITI - PASTA AL FORNO
Nonna Romana's Baked Ziti or Pasta al Forno, is the perfect dish for a Sunday Dinner, a festivity or when you have company over.
Provided by rossella rago
Yield 4 Person(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Prepare the Sauce: In a sauce pan, add the extra virgin olive oil, the onion, the garlic, the bay leaves, the peperoncino and the salt. Let everything saute until the garlic turns golden and the onion is translucent. Add the ground meat and brake it up so that it browns uniformly. Once the meat has browned, add the wine and let it evaporate. Add the chopped tomatoes and the basil. Let the sauce cook for 30 mins. Assemble the Dish: Pre-heat the oven at 450F Cook the ziti until they are half way done. Rinse the pasta under cold water. Take a baking pan and add 4 scoops of sauce at the bottom. Add half of the pasta and spread it evenly. Add another light coating of sauce followed by a generous sprinkle of cheese, followed by the shredded mozzarella. Add the other half of the ziti. Cover the ziti with a coating of sauce and Parmigiano cheese. Bake the dish for 20 mins. Remove from the oven, add the cubed mozzarella and continue baking for another 10 mins. Let the dish rest for about 15 mins. and serve.
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
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
Tips:
- Use a variety of cheeses to create a flavorful and complex sauce. Some good options include Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of pasta. Short, tube-shaped pastas like penne or rigatoni are classic choices, but you can also use longer shapes like spaghetti or fettuccine.
- If you're using a meat-based sauce, brown the meat thoroughly before adding it to the sauce. This will help to develop its flavor.
- Be sure to cook the pasta al dente, or "to the tooth." This means that it should be slightly firm to the bite.
- When assembling the pasta al forno, layer the ingredients in a baking dish, starting with the sauce and ending with the cheese. This will help to ensure that the pasta is evenly coated with sauce and cheese.
- Bake the pasta al forno in a preheated oven until it is bubbly and golden brown. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of pasta and the size of the baking dish.
Conclusion:
Pasta al forno is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great meal for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a pasta al forno recipe that everyone will love.
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