Pasta Al Forno

Indulge in the ultimate Italian comfort food with this classic Pasta Al Forno recipe, featuring layers of tender rigatoni, a rich meat sauce made with ground beef and pork, and a creamy béchamel sauce. Bursting with the flavors of crushed tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, this baked pasta dish is topped with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, bubbly finish that's irresistible. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, this hearty casserole bakes to perfection in just under an hour. Serve it warm with a side salad and crusty bread for an authentic Italian dining experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 g Rigatoni pasta
• 300 g Ground beef
• 200 g Ground pork
• 800 g Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 medium Yellow onion
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 500 ml Milk
• 0.25 tsp Nutmeg
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 250 g Mozzarella cheese
• 100 g Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the rigatoni until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened.

Step 4

Add minced garlic, ground beef, and ground pork to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is browned and fully cooked.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

While the sauce is simmering, prepare the béchamel sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

Step 7

Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of salt, then set aside.

Step 8

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well to coat the pasta.

Step 9

Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the pasta mixture over the sauce.

Step 10

Pour half of the béchamel sauce evenly over the pasta layer. Top with half of the mozzarella cheese.

Step 11

Repeat with the remaining pasta mixture, followed by the rest of the béchamel sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Step 12

Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 13

Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Step 14

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Pasta Al Forno!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2905.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4225.5

Total Fat 243.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 108.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.6g
Cholesterol 756.0mg	0%
Sodium 7900.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 264.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.4g	0%
Total Sugars 67.5g
Protein 251.7g	0%

Vitamin D 271.4IU	0%
Calcium 3609.2mg	0%
Iron 21.5mg	0%
Potassium 4319.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.5%

Protein: 23.6%

Carbs: 24.9%