Pasta al forno - baked pasta the Italian way
Pasta al forno - traditional baked pasta
This recipe is based on the wonderful ‘pasta al forno’ (pasta bake) my Sicilian mother-in-law makes! In fact, she brought a dish (actually two) over to our house last Easter Sunday. We had 22 people for lunch which was quite a challenge but the great thing about Italian families is they are always happy to contribute towards the cooking and food, so it’s rare for the hosts to end up doing everything. Dessert is a very traditional offering and we actually ended up with 5 different cakes made by various guests and family members! Plus this wonderful pasta al forno!
(click to go straight to recipe)
If we include vegetarian dishes, there are hundreds of different recipes for baked pasta, pasta al forno, here in Italy. But, the most traditional and classic is with a meat sauce or ‘ragu’, a tube pasta type such as macaroni (in Italian ‘maccheroni’). rigatoni, tortiglioni, elicoidali, penne, trescatori etc and some local soft or semi soft cheese as well as parmesan, pecorino or grana sprinkled on top.
Pasta al Forno, perfect for Sunday lunch!
‘Pasta al forno’ is a popular dish in Italy on Sundays or public holidays, especially in the South. This is probably because it takes longer to make than recipes with pasta which has only been boiled, so it is too time consuming for a week day meal. However, it can be made mostly in advance and is ideal for feeding a large number of people. Needless to say, there are always plenty of guests at an Italian family Sunday or holiday lunch! Kids also love it and a beautifully baked ‘pasta al forno’ looks so great when brought to the table!
Normally in Italy, pasta is not the main course. It is the ‘primo’ or first course and is often followed by meat or fish with vegetables and sometimes potatoes, although Italians aren’t big potato eaters unlike the Germans or the Brits! For this reason, pasta is often served with a lighter sauce, but on special occasions when families get together baked pasta is a popular tradition.
Different ragu recipes.
Housewives and cooks in each Italian region have a slightly different way of making ‘ragu’ (meat sauce). However, the basic ingredients are much the same; two or three types of meat ground or cut into small pieces (often pork and beef or veal), fresh tomatoes or passata, carrots, celery and onions, plus stock and wine. The rest of the ingredients vary from region to region, sometimes from cook to cook.
In some regions, they also add hard boiled eggs to a baked pasta and many add homemade bechamel sauce to the dish. Not every pasta al forno includes a soft cheese, but most do. The most commonly used is mozzarella but scamorza, caciocavallo or provola are popular too.
Sicilian ragu.
This al forno recipe (see the next page) is made with ragu from Sicily , which includes peas. The cheese is caciocavallo and the pasta, tortiglioni. It was yummilicious. And, despite the number sitting down to lunch that day, there was quite a bit left over! So, I was able to enjoy it the next day too!
If you have never made pasta al forno, do give it a try. It’s a wonderful go-to dish when you are planning to feed a large number. I’d love to hear from any of you who make this recipe, so feel free to comment here on the blog or on the Pasta Project Facebook page!
Buon appetito!
(to see the recipe go to the next page. Just scroll down and click 2)
If you'd like to make a vegetarian pasta al forno take a look at the recipe for baked lasagna alla Norma or baked pasta with burrata and mushrooms. Both are really delicious!
Sondria says
This certainly sounds delicious. I'm definitely making this the next time I have to feed a large amount of people.
Jacqui says
Thanks Sondria, I'm sure it will go down a treat with your guests! Everybody loves a tasty baked pasta!
Armelle Dee says
These are the food I cried seeing since I went on a tomato free diet. I do love pasta with red sauce and i make it often for my kids. This recipe is the bomb!
Jacqui says
Grazie Armelle! Baked pasta can also be made without tomatoes. Italians say 'bianco' check out my recipe for baked pasta roses! Your kids will love it too, I'm sure!
Franco says
We just got back from Italy and had to entertain three times, which is a challenge in a kitchen you're not used to. What's worse we had to compete with the great cooking they're used to getting. The solution can also be your answer to a non red pasta. Try a sauce with dried Porcini mushrooms. Add bechamelle sauce which can be made with broth instead of milk if someone is lacto intolrant. We made lasagna, but it's the same for pasta al forno. Mozzarella is not traditionally used in Italian lasagna, just some grated hard cheese like parmiggiano. Of course you can sauté fresh mushrooms if you don't have dried porcini. We always bring back dried porcini. By the way, after our first guests dubbed my wife the "principles said die porcini" we repeated two more times. This sauce is great for just pasta as well.
Jacqui says
Thanks for your comment Franco! Your porcini sauce sounds delicious. Porcini and pasta is a match made in foodie heaven! I love porcini, especially fresh! I've never made béchamel without milk. Have to try that! It's true that Italians don't usually use mozzarella in lasagna, but some baked pasta dishes, particularly from Southern Italy do have mozzarella.
Alexis says
What a great dish to make for Sunday dinner, the perfect dish to bring the family together around the dinner table.
Jacqui says
Thanks Alexis! Yes this is perfect for family meals! It's easy to understand why it's such a classic family meal dish here in Italy!
mydeliciousmeals says
This looks like a great pasta dish! Perfect for gatherings. I like that Italians bring their own food to make it easier for the host, I wish we had the same tradition among Russians 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Jacqui says
Thank you! Yes, I love this Italian tradition. The only problem with it is that sometimes you end up with too much food!!!!
Tina says
This looks amazing, and I'm sure everyone enjoyed it! 22 people over for lunch sounds like a lot of fun (and busy!)
Jacqui says
Grazie Tina, I'm happy you like this recipe! 22 is quite normal in my house, especially for family occasions. My hubby has 4 married sisters with kids, so you can imagine how chaotic family events become. But it's lots of fun and everybody helps!
Kacie Morgan says
This looks so authentic and inviting. I love pasta, but sadly I'm on a keto diet at the moment so I'm having to avoid it. Shame - I would LOVE to try out your recipe. Maybe another time!
Jacqui says
That's a pity Kacie, although you can find some low carb pasta alternatives. I've read almond flour or bean pasta are popular substitutes, although I haven't tried them myself! It would be interesting to know how either would taste in a baked pasta.
Jere Cassidy says
I am such a fan of your pasta recipes. This sounds like another winner.
Jacqui says
Aww thanks so much Jere! This is a great recipe for feeding large numbers and for family meals! A real classic here in Italy!
Gloria says
When I was a child, my mom made some baked spaghetti. This reminds me of that. I love baking pasta casseroles. This is a great and delicious way to feed a crowd.
Jacqui says
Baked spaghetti sounds good Gloria! Yes baked pasta is a winner when it comes to feeding a large number!
Edyta at Eating European says
There's nothing better than good pasta bake. I love this recipe. Will be making it often 🙂
Jacqui says
Grazie Edyta, am thrilled you love this recipe and want to make it! You won't be disappointed!
Rae says
I am drooling over here! Recently I have become somewhat obsessed with traditional Italian recipes (not that I have any Italian in my family whatsoever), and I love how you broke down different regions and styles. So incredibly helpful. My husband is going to LOVE this pasta!
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Rae, I'm happy you liked the recipe and the information in the post. Pasta is such a major player in Italian cuisine but it's made and prepared in different ways from region to region! I love these variations!
ali randall says
This recipe is going in my winter rotation. I am always looking for yummy recipes that my family will love that can be ready after a long day. Looks wonderful.
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Ali! Pasta baked this way or similarly is a popular family meal recipe throughout Italy. I'm sure your family will love it too!!
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
Kids love pasta! This is a recipe everyone needs to try (kids or not) because I know it is going to be delicious!
Jacqui says
I agree Kristina, this is a recipe both young and old will love. It's certainly loved by kids and adults alike here in Italy!
Michelle says
I can make this on a Sunday and eat it the rest of the week for lunch, thanks for the inspiration!
Jacqui says
You certainly can Michelle! I do it often. Sometimes I just heat the leftovers in the microwave or oven. It keeps well in the fridge for 2-4 days! Other times I make more than one dish, so that I can bake the second one a day or two later!
Constance Smith says
Oh my heavens that looks amazing!!! I love how dense and filling that looks. Absolute comfort food!
Jacqui says
Comfort food perfection Constance. I guess that's why baked pasta is so popular with Italian families!
Kelly Anthony says
This looks delicious and perfect for a weeknight dinner! Putting it on the must-try list!
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Kelly! I'm happy you want to try this classic Italian dish! I'm absolutely sure you'll love it!
Micky says
Baked pasta dishes are my favorite! Definitely bookmarking your page for more ideas!
Jacqui says
Thanks Micky! I love baked pasta too and there are many ways to make it. This one is a classic loved by kids and adults alike!
Stine Mari says
This looks really good, and I loved to read about the different varieties of ragu in different regions! And Italian families sound awesome.
Jacqui says
Grazie cara Stine Mari! Yes it's interesting that ragu recipes vary from region to region here in Italy, sometimes even from town to town. Baked pasta with ragu is really a classic enjoyed by young and old here!
Ramona says
This pasta looks and sounds so amazing - my kids definitely want to have it now after seeing the pictures, well, put it this way - they would easily leave on your pastas Jacqui. I’ve shown them few of your pasta dishes and now all they want it’s pasta. This is going to be on the table tonight. Thank you so much for sharing
admin says
Thank you dearest Ramona! I'm sure your kids will go crazy for this dish! It's madly popular with Italian kids...and adults love it too!! Love from Verona! Jacqui
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I love the idea of making this in advance and feeding a crowd. It just looks so good! I think I know what to have for dinner tomorrow now too!
admin says
Grazie cara Amanda! Pasta al forno is really the Italian go-to dish for big family lunches and other times there are lots of guests around the table! Do let me know how it turns out. Buon appetito! Jacqui
melve says
Creamy pasta is always my favorite and drooling every time I see it, that's why I have a Pasta List. I must try this and I hope I found all the ingredient on the market.
admin says
Hi Melve, thanks so much for your comment and rating! I hope you do find all the ingredients because I'm sure you'll love this pasta al forno. It's a great dish for feeding a crowd! All the best from Verona! Jacqui