Ingredients

1 bag ziti pasta
1 1/2 cups light mozzarella cheese , shredded
4 -5 tablespoons parmesan cheese or 4 -5 tablespoons romano cheese , grated
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion , finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves , finely minced
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon dried oregano ( to taste ) or 1 tablespoon basil ( to taste )
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups cold milk
1 teaspoon paprika
1 pinch salt ( to taste )
Domenic’s Pasta Al Forno is an Italian dish that is sure to satisfy your cravings for a hearty comfort food. This is a classic baked pasta dish that features layers of ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, and delicious cheeses that are baked to perfection. While this recipe might seem intimidating at first, it is actually quite easy to make, thanks to its simple ingredients and straightforward cooking technique. It's perfect for sharing with friends and family on a cozy weekend or for serving as a weeknight family dinner.

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2.Cook ziti al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3.Brown ground beef in oil. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the drippings.
4.Sauté onion and garlic in the drippings.
5.Add browned beef, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, red pepper, and oregano or basil. Cook for 10 minutes.
6.In a separate saucepan, melt butter, add flour and blend until smooth.
7.Gradually add milk, paprika and salt, cooking until thickened.
8.Add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and all of the parmesan or romano cheese to the sauce and stir until cheese is melted.
9.Combine meat, pasta, and sauce mixture together in a large bowl.
10.Place mixture in a large greased baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
11.Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

PROS

Domenic’s Pasta Al Forno is a delicious and easy to make Italian dish.

The combination of ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, and delicious cheese makes for a perfect comfort food that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.

The recipe is also quite flexible, you can substitute ground beef for turkey or chicken for a healthier option.

CONS

Since this dish contains a meat sauce and cheese, it is high in fat and calories, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

The recipe can also be time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While this dish is not exactly a health food, there are still some benefits to consuming it.
The pasta provides a slow-digesting source of carbohydrates, which can help keep you feeling full for longer.
Tomatoes are also loaded with antioxidants such as lycopene, which can aid in reducing inflammation in the body.

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