Recipe ID: MRF1.1 

Measure: 1X

Prep Time: 10 min(s)

Cook Time: 40 min(s)

Total Time: 50 min(s)

Yield:  4 - 6 moderate serving(s)

Dish Type: Pasta and Pizza

Method: Cooktop 

Description: 

Pasta baked to excellence takes shape in this Pasta al Forno dish. This Italian baked pasta recipe moves baked pasta to the next level with the addition of warm Pear Foods Baharat Blend, Italian herbs and sun-dried tomatoes. It will become your go-to recipe for comfort foods that you will want serve to your family.

Ingredients: 

• Cook Pasta:
• 1 lb Ziti pasta or pasta of your choice (cooked as per pasta package directions)
• Water 
• Salt 

• Make Pasta al Forno:
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/2 onion (diced)
• 1/2 bell pepper (medium size | diced)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3/4 - 1 tsp Pear Foods Baharat Blend
• 1/4 tsp Pear Foods Piquant Peppercorn Blend
• 1/8 - 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (optional | add to taste)
• 1/2 tsp Italian herb seasoning (optional)
• 4 oz sundried tomatoes (diced)
• 1/2 c heavy cream
• 24 - 30 oz tomato sauce for pasta (21/2 c – 3 c of your favorite sauce either home-made or store-bought)
• Prepared pasta
• Salt (add to taste)
• 2 tbsp basil leaves (finely cut)
• 11/2 c mozzarella (shredded cheese)
• 1/2 c parmesan (grated cheese)
• Basil leaves for garnish

Directions:

• Make-It-Easy Pointers:
• Have your MiseEnPlace (ingredients + utensils) ready before you start cooking.
• While cooking, stir from time to time to avoid the food from sticking to the bottom of the pan. If food sticks to the bottom of the pan, reduce heat and add 2 tbsp of water and stir.
• When adding ingredients especially salt and chili spice to the cooking pot, always remember to add in incremental amounts, because it will get difficult if overdone.
• Also, a good balance of salt, sugar (if added), spice and chili heat (if added) is quintessential for obtaining the best taste results for a dish.

• Make Pasta al Forno: 
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Keep the cooktop heat to medium. In a deep sauté pan or chef's pan, add the cooking oil. Add the garlic and sauté it for a minute until it develops a cooked aroma. 
• Add the onions and bell pepper to the pan along with 1/8 tsp salt. Sauté the onions until they turn translucent. Then add in the Pear Foods Baharat Blend and Piquant Peppercorn Blend, red chili flakes and Italian herb seasoning. Stir and sauté for 15 to 45 seconds until an appetizing aroma arises from the spice blends. 
• Add the sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream and tomato sauce and bring it to a simmer.
• Add the pasta cooked to al dente and mix to combine well. Adjust for salt and seasonings.
• Turn off the cooktop heat and fold in the basil leaves.
• Line the baking dish (9 inches x 13 inches) with heavy duty aluminum foil. Transfer the pasta to the dish and even out the top of the pasta surface.
• Spread the mozzarella and parmesan cheese on the top of the pasta surface evenly. Cover the pasta with the aluminum foil and make perforations on the top of the aluminum sheet to facilitate venting steam during the baking process.
• Place the baking dish in the pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. At the end of 15 minutes, remove the foil cover and bake for another 5 - 10 minutes to get crispy edges and golden molten cheese layer on top of the pasta.
• Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. 

• Serve warm Pasta al Forno with basil garnishes on the top. Enjoy!

Variations:

• Make a vegan version of this recipe by substituting for the heavy cream, mozzarella and parmesan with vegan alternatives.

Notes: 

If you love this recipe, then try our other recipes.

Did you make this recipe?

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Tag #peargourmet or mention @pearfoodsonig on Instagram. 

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