Domenic'S Pasta Al Forno Recipe

Name: Domenic'S Pasta Al Forno
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 (900 g) bag ziti pasta; 1 1/2 cups light mozzarella cheese, shredded; 4 -5 tablespoons parmesan cheese or 4 -5 tablespoons romano cheese, grated; For the Tomato Sauce; 1 lb extra lean ground beef; 1 teaspoon vegetable oil; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 2 large garlic cloves, finely minced; 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes; 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste; 1/4 teaspoon sugar; 1 pinch red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon dried oregano (to taste) or 1 tablespoon basil (to taste); For the Bechamel Sauce; 2 tablespoons flour; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 1/2 cups cold milk; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 pinch salt (to taste)

Servings: persons

1 (900 g) bag ziti pasta
1 1/2 cups light mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 -5 tablespoons parmesan cheese or 4 -5 tablespoons romano cheese, grated
For the Tomato Sauce
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon dried oregano (to taste) or 1 tablespoon basil (to taste)
For the Bechamel Sauce
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups cold milk
1 teaspoon paprika
1 pinch salt (to taste)

1
Brown ground beef in a pan with a splash of water, stirring frequently to break it up into very small pieces.
2
Meanwhile, saute the onions in oil in a large saucepan. When they have turned limp and transparent, add the garlic and cook for a further minute or two.
3
Add the beef to the vegetables. Stir in the sugar, tomatoes and tomato paste. You may also need to add in some water to obtain the correct consistency - this needs to be a bit thinner than a traditional pasta sauce. Simmer for about an hour.
4
With about 15 or 20 minutes left, check the consistency of the sauce again. Add water, if required, as well as seasonings.
5
Preheat oven to 350u00b0F.
6
Melt butter in a small saucepan.
7
Add flour and 1 cup of milk to a sealable jar and shake well until the flour is distributed throughout the milk. Add this mixture slowly to the butter, stirring constantly. Repeat with remaining milk and paprika.
8
Continue heating, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins to thicken. Again, this does not need to be a thick sauce.
9
Cook ziti for about 7 minutes in a pot of salted boiling water. The ziti will only be about half cooked at this point. Drain, reserving about a cup of water to thin the sauce, if necessary.
10
Mix the pasta with tomato sauce, bechamel sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Stir well to combine and melt cheese. There should be enough sauce to just cover the pasta. Pour the mixture into a large baking dish.
11
If you have some tomato sauce left, spoon it lightly over top of the pasta for a bit of extra colour. Sprinkle with parmesan, cover, and bake for about 40 minutes. The pasta will finish cooking during this time, and the excess liquid will be absorbed!
12
Allow to stand for a few minutes before serving.

1198

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 19 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 (900 g) bag ziti pasta, 1 1/2 cups light mozzarella cheese, shredded, 4 -5 tablespoons parmesan cheese or 4 -5 tablespoons romano cheese, grated, For the Tomato Sauce, and more.

Yes, Domenic'S Pasta Al Forno falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Domenic'S Pasta Al Forno

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions