Pasta alla Sorrentina: An Authentic Italian Baked Pasta with Mozzarella and Basil Recipe
Pasta alla Sorrentina is a classic Italian family dinner featuring rigatoni or penne pasta baked in a rich tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This comforting dish combines a flavorful tomato passata sauce with garlic and basil, finished off with a golden, bubbly cheese topping for a warm and satisfying entree.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400g (14 oz) rigatoni or penne pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 500g (17 oz) tomato passata (puree)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn (divided)
Cheese
- 250g (9 oz) fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into pieces
- 50g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni or penne pasta and cook it 2 minutes less than the package instructions indicate to keep it slightly firm. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then pour in the tomato passata. Season with salt and black pepper, then let the sauce simmer gently for 10–15 minutes to develop flavor. Stir in half of the torn basil leaves during the last few minutes of simmering.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Add the cooked pasta to the sauce in the skillet, tossing carefully to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the sauced pasta into a baking dish. Evenly distribute the torn fresh mozzarella pieces on top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the remaining torn basil over the top for added fragrance and color.
- Bake the Pasta: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
- Serve Hot: Remove from the oven and serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired. Enjoy your comforting Pasta alla Sorrentina.
Notes
- Cooking the pasta slightly underdone prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
- Use fresh mozzarella for the best melting texture and flavor.
- You can substitute tomato passata with crushed canned tomatoes if needed.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste, especially if your cheeses are salty.
- Serve with a green salad and crusty bread for a complete Italian meal experience.
Keywords: Pasta alla Sorrentina, Italian pasta bake, baked pasta with tomato sauce, mozzarella pasta bake, classic Italian dinner
