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Home » Recipes » Baked Pasta Recipes

Published: Jan 15, 2021 · Modified: Dec 30, 2022 by Jacqui

Calabrian baked pasta (Pasta Mbruscinata)


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Calabrian baked pasta with meatballs.

Known as pasta 'mbruscinata or pasta chijna in the local dialect, this rich and hearty Calabrian baked pasta with meatballs is a traditional dish for Sundays, holidays and family occasions in Calabria. Although Italians would traditionally eat this pasta bake as a first course (primo), it's so loaded with delicious local foods and ingredients that it makes a filling main course too.

Calabrian baked pasta

Sunday isn't Sunday in Italy without a baked pasta.

I'm sure you'll agree, the most filling pasta dishes are the baked ones. In Italy, they are traditionally served on Sundays and special occasions in many homes. In fact, Sunday isn't Sunday here without a pasta bake.

Calabrian baked pasta mbruscinata

Of course, each region has its own typical baked pasta recipes. Italians say 'pasta al forno'. Pasta Mbruscinata, or pasta chijna, is a typical seriously hearty baked pasta dish in Calabria.  

Ingredients for Calabrian baked pasta mbruscinata
Step 1 Gather your ingredients.

Traditionally, pasta dishes are a first course or ‘primo’ for Italians, even though, they usually follow an antipasto or appetizer! Having had their fill of pasta (which on special occasions could mean 2 or 3 different pasta dishes!), Italians then move on to a main course of fish or meat.

chopped onions, carrots and celery in Dutch oven
Step 2 Make the ragu. Chop the veggies finely and sauté in olive oil.

When I first moved to Italy, I found this quantity of food hard to swallow, literally! However, I’ve learnt to be less indulgent and take it easy with the first courses. Now, I prefer to eat only half a portion or skip one course altogether. Even if that means missing out on something delicious!

ground meat added to onions, carrots and celery in Dutch oven
Add the ground meat and brown it.

So, if you ever get invited to an Italian wedding, special occasion or even just dinner at Italian friends be warned. It’s best not to eat too much antipasto and/or pasta or you’ll never reach dessert!

tomato paste added to browned meat in Ducth oven
When the meat is browned add some tomato paste and..

Different versions of Calabrian baked pasta.

The recipe for this Calabrian baked pasta varies from town to town. However, the general rule for pasta Mbruscinata seems to be put as many ingredients in it as you can!

tomato passata added to meat sauce in Dutch oven
add tomato passata, mix, stir and simmer.

Most Calabrians make a bolognese type sauce, prepared with a mixture of ground meat such as pork and veal. Some people also add sausage. Others use a tomato sauce instead of the ragu. Then, they add mozzarella, provolone or cacciocavallo cheese, hard boiled eggs, salami, ham, and meatballs! Yes, baked pasta with meatballs!

ready cooked ragu in Dutch oven
The ragu is ready!

I made the version that I like most of all, without sausage or ham, but with meatballs, boiled eggs, mozzarella and provolone. The meatballs are an important part of the dish and I’m going to give you a few secrets to making good meatballs.

meatball ingredients in white bowl
Step 3 Make the meatballs. Put all the ingredients in a bowl.

Making great Italian meatballs!

To make delicious Italian meatballs, it's important that the mixture is well seasoned. Don’t skimp on the salt or the grated cheese, whether Parmigiano or pecorino. Also important to remember is that Italian meatballs are quite small, especially if they are going into a pasta dish.

ready raw meatball mixture in white bowl
Use your hands to mix and knead the meatball mixture.

Secondly, use enough milk-soaked bread or breadcrumbs so that the texture is not too soft nor too dry. The more bread or breadcrumbs you use, the softer the meatballs will be.

ready rolled meatballs on white plate
Make the meatballs about the size of large walnuts.

Thirdly, make sure that you shallow fry the meatballs in light olive oil (or vegetable oil) over a moderate heat. You don't want them to cook too fast. The bread content means they brown quickly and can burn. But cook them too slowly and they’ll become dry and greasy. The oil should bubble up gently around the meatballs when you place them in it.

meatballs cooking in frying pan
Fry the meatballs in olive oil or vegetable oil until browned all over.

To be sure that your mixture is properly seasoned and of the right texture, it is a good idea to make one meatball, fry it and taste it. If you are happy with the taste and consistency, cook the rest. If not, adjust the seasoning or other ingredients.

hard boiled eggs, cubed cheese and meatballs all in white bowls
Step 4 prepare the cheese and hard boiled eggs.

Making this Calabrian baked pasta.

As I'm sure you can imagine, this baked pasta takes a bit of time to make. But, don't be put off! It is so worth it. You can also make the ragu in advance and assemble the dish the day before. So, it's ready to bake and you can spend more time with family and guests!

giant fusilli (fusilloni) on white plate
Giant fusilli (fusilloni)

The first step is to make the ragu or Bolognese. The longer you simmer ragu, the better it tastes. And, while the sauce is cooking you can get on with the rest of the dish!

mixed pasta and ragu in oven dish
Step 5 Cook the pasta and mix it with the ragu and assemble the dish. Start with pasta and ragu.

The next step is to make the meatballs and then fry them. They can be set aside on some kitchen paper while you boil the eggs and cut the cheese in cubes. Finally cook your pasta and mix it with the ragu. If you're not baking immediately, let the pasta and ragu cool before assembling your Calabrian baked pasta!

meatballs and cubed cheese scattered over pasta and ragu in oven dish
Scatter meatballs and chopped cheese over the pasta and ragu.

The Pasta.

This Calabrian pasta bake is usually made with short pasta tubes such as penne, rigatoni or short ziti. This time I used giant fusilli called fusilloni I bought in Calabria! I thought this pasta was fantastic but use your favourite!

hard boiled eggs on the top layer of the pasta dish
Add another layer of pasta and ragu, meatballs and cheese and top with hard boiled eggs.

Pasta Mbruscinata makes for great leftovers too!

This dish makes great leftovers! Yes, the consistency is different. It's drier than when served right out of the oven. But, the flavors are stronger. I love leftovers of this Calabrian baked pasta. I've even had them 2 days running!

Calabrian baked pasta ready to go in the oven.
Finally, sprinkle the top layer with grated Parmigiano or pecorino, bake and serve!

In my opinion, this wonderful dish is more than a one-plate meal. It’s an absolute bomb and I can’t imagine being able to eat a main course afterwards! Having said that it is absolutely delicious and  your family and guests will probably be wanting a second helping, so make sure you make enough!

Calabrian baked pasta
Calabrian baked pasta

If you make this Calabrian baked pasta recipe I’d love to hear how it turns out and if you liked it. Please leave a comment here on the blog or on The Pasta Project Facebook page.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Buon Appetito!

Other baked pasta recipes for Sunday lunch!

  1. Neapolitan baked ziti al gratin
  2. Baked and stuffed paccheri
  3. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
  4. Ham and cheese pasta bake

If you are interested in learning how to make homemade pasta and different types of gnocchi, check out my shop page for some great video online courses from my friends in Rome! Nothing beats learning to make pasta from Italians! Plus while you’re there why not order a copy of my newly published autumn/winter pasta recipes cookbook!

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Calabrian baked pasta

If you love Calabrian cuisine have a look at my favorite pasta recipes from Calabria.

Calabrian baked pasta mbruscinata

Calabrian baked pasta (Pasta Mbruscinata)

Jacqui
An extremely rich and filling baked pasta with meatballs from Southern Italy that's perfect for holiday meals, Sunday lunch and special family occasions.
5 from 23 votes
Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Calabria, Italian, Southern Italian
Servings 6
Calories 969 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g giant fusilli (14oz) or penne, rigatoni, ziti etc
  • 1-2 large mozzarella balls
  • 100 g provolone cheese (3.5oz) or cacciocavallo
  • 4 eggs hard-boiled
  • 100 g Parmigiano (3.5oz) grated or Pecorino

For the Sauce

  • 400 g mixed ground meat (14oz) veal or beef + pork
  • 1-2 carrot
  • 1-2 celery stalk
  • 1 onion
  • 2 tablespoon tomato concentrate/paste
  • 690 g bottle of tomato pulp/passata (1.5lbs)
  • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ glass of wine red or white
  • Salt and pepper for pasta and to taste

For the Meatballs

  • 300 g mixed ground meat as for sauce (10.5oz) veal or beef + pork
  • 2 eggs
  • parsley
  • 100 g grated pecorino/parmesan (3.5oz)
  • 100 g stale bread soaked in milk (3.5oz) or 100g breadcrumbs
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3-4 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions
 

Make the meat sauce first

  • Chop the onion, peeled carrot and celery finely.
  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet or Dutch oven and add vegetables and cook until soft.
  • Add the ground meat and brown it well. Add the wine (I prefer white wine), let it evaporate.
  • Add the tomato paste and tomato pulp and a bit of water if it is too thick. Add a pinch of salt and some black pepper, cover and let simmer for at least an hour.

Prepare the eggs and pasta

  • Put the 4 eggs on to boil for 5-6 minutes. When cooked rinse with cold water and peel them.
  • Put a saucepan of salted water on to boil to cook the pasta just less than al dente according to the instructions on the packet. When the pasta is cooked, strain it and put it back in the pan.
  • While the water for the pasta is heating, prepare the meatballs

Make the meatballs

  • Soak the bread in milk and once softened squeeze out the excess liquid.
  • Put the bread or breadcrumbs into a mixing bowl with the ground meat mix, 2 beaten eggs, the grated pecorino/parmigiano cheese, salt and pepper and a little parsley.
  • Mix all the ingredients together well with your hands, and then make as many small meatballs as you can.
  • Roll the meatballs in flour and fry them in moderately hot olive oil.
  • When they are golden, put them in a dish covered with kitchen paper to absorb excess oil.

Put the dish together

  • Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce and mix well.
  • Put a layer of pasta and sauce on the bottom of an oven dish. Place half the meatballs on top with pieces of mozzarella and provolone.
  • Put a second layer of the pasta with sauce on top of the cheese and meatballs.
  • Top with the rest of the meatballs, mozzarella and provolone. Add the hard boiled eggs and finish with a sprinkling of grated parmigiano or pecorino
  • Bake at 180 ° C until the cheese starts to turn golden (about 20-30minutes).
  • Let the baked pasta sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
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Notes

Although Italians would traditionally eat this pasta dish as a first course, it is definitely filling enough to be a one-plate meal. It also reheats well so any leftovers can be refrigerated and eaten the next day .

Nutrition

Calories: 969kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 55gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 281mgSodium: 1025mgPotassium: 1223mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 3031IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 635mgIron: 7mg
Keyword baked pasta recipe, Calabria, meatballs, pasta al forno, pasta bake, Sunday sauce
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Calabrian baked pasta

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Leslie says

    February 13, 2021 at 1:44 am

    I'm so intrigued by this recipe! This is probably the heartiest pasta dish I have ever seen! So much protein, no doubt this one will be filling and delicious!

    Reply
  2. Jill says

    February 10, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    Such an informative post. Now I know all about calabrian pasta. Great process photos too!!

    Reply
  3. Cindy says

    January 25, 2021 at 8:26 am

    This tasted amazing and is on our regular rotation. We couldn't get enough of the sauce and fusilli really holds all the deliciousness well.

    Reply
    • Jacqui says

      January 26, 2021 at 5:05 pm

      Thank you Cindy! I'm happy to hear you liked this baked pasta recipe! Yes, I also think fusilli is a great choice!

      Reply
    • Glen says

      July 04, 2021 at 3:31 pm

      This looks great!!! Thanks, Jacqui!

      Do you use Calabrese peppers in your ragú when you make a Calabrian dish, like this one? Or, do you make a family ragú recipe and use it for everything?

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Jacqui says

        July 05, 2021 at 8:13 am

        Hi Glen thanks for your comment. I'm glad you like this dish. Re the ingredients in the ragu, we don't add Calabrian peppers to this (I guess you mean the spicy ones). Most recipes for mbruscinata include a pretty classic ragu. Some don't add wine and many call for Calabrian Tropea onions but there's no spice in this recipe. The main difference between this and traditional Bolognese is the use of milk, which isn't included in Southern ragu recipes.

        Reply
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Buon giorno and welcome to my pasta project! My name is Jacqui. I’m originally a Londoner but in 2003 life’s journey brought me to the beautiful Veneto region of Italy where…

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