Creamy and Cheesy Pasta al Forno: A Classic Italian Delight

Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Pasta al Forno, a tantalizing oven-baked dish boasting a rich, creamy, and cheesy sauce that embodies the essence of Italian cuisine. This meticulously crafted recipe offers a comprehensive guide to effortlessly recreate this beloved culinary masterpiece in your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb rigatoni pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb Italian sausage
• 1 (1 lb) can tomato puree
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté finely diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, infusing the oil with aromatic flavors.
2. Introduce Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula. Cook until the sausage is beautifully browned, then carefully drain off any excess grease.
3. Incorporate the tomato puree, along with ¼ cup of water, salt, pepper, and dried oregano, stirring to blend the flavors harmoniously. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld into a luscious symphony of taste.
4. While the sauce simmers to perfection, boil the rigatoni pasta in generously salted water until it reaches a point just shy of al dente, ensuring a delightful texture in the finished dish. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the remainder.
5. Merge the cooked rigatoni with the simmering sauce, adding 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Stir diligently to ensure every morsel is coated in the luxurious sauce, adding additional pasta water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
6. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, preparing to transform the delectable pasta into a golden masterpiece.
7. Transfer the pasta mixture into a generously sized 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a sumptuous canvas. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese atop the pasta, followed by a generous dusting of shredded parmesan, culminating in a tantalizing symphony of flavors and textures.
8. Slide the baking dish into the awaiting embrace of the preheated oven, allowing the pasta al forno to bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling with fervent enthusiasm and the cheese achieves a golden hue, signifying its readiness to be savored.

With each forkful of this divine creation, savor the comforting embrace of creamy sauce, the robust essence of Italian sausage, and the tantalizing allure of melted cheese, transported to the sun-kissed hillsides of Italy with every bite.