Description
Pasta alla Sorrentina is a beloved Italian comfort food featuring al dente pasta enveloped in a vibrant tomato basil sauce, layered with fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then baked to bubbly perfection with a golden crust. This simple yet flavorful dish captures the essence of traditional Italian home cooking.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, cubed
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the penne or rigatoni pasta in salted water until just al dente according to package instructions, then drain well.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil and sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Make Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 15 minutes to develop flavors.
- Add Basil: Stir in the chopped fresh basil to the simmering sauce just before combining with pasta.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Combine the cooked pasta with the tomato basil sauce in the skillet to coat evenly.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the sauced pasta to a baking dish and fold in half of the cubed mozzarella cheese.
- Top with Cheeses: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cubes evenly over the pasta and finish with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve hot as a hearty main course.
Notes
- Using fresh mozzarella provides a creamy, melty texture essential to this dish.
- Add cooked Italian sausage or grilled chicken to increase protein content and flavor variety.
- Serve alongside garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
