Pasta Fagioli al Forno

This dish is a go-to for busy nights, bringing the heartiness of pasta and beans together in a way that’s comforting and full of flavor.

Perfect for family dinners, it has the familiar coziness of Italian food without being too complicated. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe every time you want something filling and warm.

Pasta Fagioli al Forno

Pasta Fagioli al Forno combines pasta, Italian sausage, tomatoes, and cannellini beans in a casserole baked to perfection. Topped with melty fontina and Parmesan cheese, it's a satisfying, cozy meal that’s great for family gatherings or a weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 35 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 1 hr 5 mins Cooking Temp: 350  °F Servings: 8

Ingredients

Servings

• 3 cups uncooked penne pasta (about 12 oz)

• 1 can whole plum tomatoes (28 oz)

• 1 lb bulk Italian sausage

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 medium carrot, chopped

• 1 celery rib, chopped

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ¹⁄₂ tsp salt

• ¹⁄₂ tsp dried basil

• ¹⁄₄ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• ¹⁄₄ tsp pepper

• 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (15 oz)

• ¹⁄₂ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

• ¹⁄₂ cup minced fresh parsley, divided

• 2 cups shredded fontina or provolone cheese

Step-vy-step Process

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente; drain and set aside.
3. Drain tomatoes, keeping the juice. Coarsely chop the tomatoes.
4. In a large pot, cook and crumble sausage with onion, carrot, celery, and garlic over medium-high heat until sausage is no longer pink (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat.
5. Stir in tomato paste, seasonings, chopped tomatoes, and reserved tomato juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
6. Add cannellini beans, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup parsley. Stir in the cooked pasta.
7. Transfer the mixture to a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with fontina cheese and the remaining Parmesan cheese.
8. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Sprinkle with remaining parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 440kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 23g36%

Saturated Fat 10g50%

Cholesterol 66mg22%

Sodium 1029mg43%

Total Carbohydrate 37g13%

Dietary Fiber 6g24%

Sugars 5g

Protein 22g44%

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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

For a crispier topping, broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.

Keywords: Baked pasta, Italian sausage, casserole, comfort food, family dinner