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Baked Italian Sunset Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 110 reviews

Baked Italian Sunset Pasta is a hearty, comforting dish featuring mezzi rigatoni tossed in rich meat sauce, layered with fresh mozzarella, pesto, and parmesan cheese, then baked to bubbly perfection. This easy-to-make casserole combines classic Italian flavors and creamy textures, making it ideal for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Sauce

  • 1 Pound Mezzi Rigatoni
  • 4–5 Cups Meat Sauce (use your own recipe or follow mine HERE)

Cheeses and Toppings

  • 6.5 Oz Jar Pesto
  • 16 Oz Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, thinly sliced
  • 1 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (divided)
  • 1–2 Tbs Butter
  • 1–2 Tbs Parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pasta casserole.
  2. Cook Pasta: Bring salted water to a boil and cook the mezzi rigatoni until al dente, approximately 10-12 minutes, then drain well.
  3. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Warm the meat sauce and stir in the drained pasta until the rigatoni is evenly coated with the sauce.
  4. Layer First Pasta: Generously butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Add half of the sauced pasta to the dish and sprinkle with half of the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  5. Add Mozzarella Layer: Arrange the thinly sliced mozzarella cheese side by side over the pasta layer to cover evenly.
  6. Spread Pesto: Dollop the pesto on top of the mozzarella layer and use the back of a spoon to smooth it out evenly across the cheese.
  7. Top with Remaining Pasta and Cheese: Add the remaining half of the pasta mixture over the pesto layer and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake: Place the baking dish on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve warm and enjoy your Italian sunset pasta.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use homemade or high-quality meat sauce.
  • Thin slicing the fresh mozzarella ensures it melts evenly.
  • You can substitute mezzi rigatoni with penne or ziti if unavailable.
  • Butter the baking dish well to prevent sticking and add richness.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.

Keywords: baked pasta, Italian casserole, pesto pasta bake, mezzi rigatoni recipe, meat sauce pasta bake, comforting Italian dish

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/baked-italian-sunset-pasta-recipe/