We get together often with friends for a "game day", so I made an easy pasta dish ahead of time for dinner.
I made this over the holidays and it was a hit with everyone, so I decided to make it again. It has lots of flavor and is a 'take off ' of Pasta Fagioli Soup!
Pasta Fagioli al Forno
3 cups uncooked penne pasta (about 12 ounces)
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley, divided
2 cups shredded fontina or provolone cheese
Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain.
Meanwhile, in a 6-qt. stockpot, cook and crumble sausage with onion, carrot, celery and garlic over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes; drain. Stir in tomato paste, seasonings, chopped tomatoes with juices; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.
Stir in beans and 1/4 cup each Parmesan cheese and parsley. Stir in pasta. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with fontina or provolone cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover; bake until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.
Meanwhile, in a 6-qt. stockpot, cook and crumble sausage with onion, carrot, celery and garlic over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes; drain. Stir in tomato paste, seasonings, chopped tomatoes with juices; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.
Stir in beans and 1/4 cup each Parmesan cheese and parsley. Stir in pasta. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with fontina or provolone cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover; bake until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.
Because there were only 4 of us, I separated 1/4 of the casserole and froze it for us to have in the future!
Once baked the cheese melts into the pasta and it is is so delish!
Find the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check 9" x 13" Baking Pan here!
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The Sugar Duster is perfect for Parmesan Cheese, too!
These adorable napkins are from Anthropologie, the dishes are from MacKenzie-Childs, the placemats are from Marshall's and the flatware is Spode.
My Valentine flowers from John were still blooming, so they were the perfect centerpiece.
I served this pasta dish with a garden salad and home made garlic/cheese bread I baked earlier in the day!
This was an easy casserole to prepare earlier in the day and just pop in the oven while we played games all afternoon!
I also made a wine punch - and because of this the girls beat the boys!!
Patti this looks so yummy. I bet it was a big hit. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us. Hugs. Happy Friday have a good weekend. Kris
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it was a fun evening and the pasta dish looks great!
ReplyDeleteItalian food in casserole form, I love it! It looks so comforting and delicious. I’m saving this recipe.
ReplyDelete