Mom's Pasta al Forno

This pasta al forno recipe is a special treat--hearty layers of ziti, beef, cheese, and peas are baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbly.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 561 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons water
• 6 tablespoons white sugar
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound ground beef
• 6 leaves fresh basil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 (16 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 (15 ounce) can green peas, drained
• 3 (15 ounce) cans tomato puree
• 2 pounds ziti
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced, ends discarded
• 4.25 cups water, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion; saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato puree and water; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in sugar and basil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

While the sauce is cooking, bring a very large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add ground beef to cooked pasta. Mix in enough tomato sauce to lightly coat the pasta.

Step 5

Mix ricotta cheese and water in a bowl until it reaches a spreadable consistency.

Step 6

Spread a ladleful of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add 1/2 of the pasta, all of the ricotta cheese, peas, and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Layer the sliced eggs on every section of the pasta; cover with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Pour remaining pasta, Parmesan cheese, sauce, and mozzarella on top. Cover with aluminum foil.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting, so slices don't fall apart.