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- 300g penne pasta - 400g canned crushed tomatoes - 200g mozzarella cheese, diced - 50g grated Parmesan cheese - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 garlic clove, minced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish Choosing good canned tomatoes is key. Look for brands that use ripe, fresh tomatoes. Check labels for no added sugar or preservatives. Good tomatoes make the sauce rich and tasty. When it comes to herbs, fresh is best for flavor. Dried herbs work, too, but fresh herbs bring more aroma. If you use dried oregano, just remember to use less since it’s stronger. For mozzarella, I prefer the fresh variety. It melts beautifully and adds creaminess. If you can’t find fresh mozzarella, use low-moisture mozzarella. It also works well, but it won’t be as creamy. Selecting the right ingredients elevates your Pasta alla Sorrentina. Enjoy the cooking and savor every moment! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once the water is bubbling, add 300g of penne pasta. Cook it until it is al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally so it cooks evenly. After cooking, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 minced garlic clove and sauté for 1 minute. You want the garlic to smell great, but be careful not to burn it. Then, pour in 400g of canned crushed tomatoes. Stir well to mix everything. Season with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and add salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes. This helps it thicken and build flavor. Next, add the drained penne pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss it well to coat the pasta evenly. After that, remove the skillet from heat and stir in 200g of diced mozzarella cheese. The cheese will start to melt from the heat of the pasta. Now, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle 50g of grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top. Bake it in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. You want the cheese to be bubbly and golden brown. Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Enjoy your cheesy comfort meal! To make the sauce just right, taste it as you cook. If it needs more flavor, add a pinch of salt or pepper. You can also add a bit of sugar if the tomatoes are too sour. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer. This helps the water cook out. If you want it thicker faster, mix in a bit of tomato paste. To get perfect cheese texture, add mozzarella when the sauce is still hot. This helps it melt nicely. Make sure to stir gently. You want the cheese to be gooey, not rubbery. If you like a bit more crunch, broil it for a minute after baking. This gives you a nice golden top. Pasta alla Sorrentina pairs well with a fresh salad. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette works great. You can also serve it with garlic bread. For a more filling meal, add some roasted vegetables. They bring out the flavors of the pasta. Enjoy your meal with a nice glass of red wine, too! Pro Tips Perfect Pasta: Always cook your pasta al dente for the best texture. It will continue to cook slightly when combined with the sauce. Quality Tomatoes: Use high-quality canned tomatoes for a richer flavor. San Marzano tomatoes are a great choice if available. Cheese Variations: Feel free to mix different cheeses like provolone or fontina with mozzarella for a unique flavor profile. Herb Freshness: Add fresh herbs like basil or oregano right at the end to enhance the dish's aroma and taste. {{image_2}} You can easily make this dish vegetarian. Just skip the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based version. For a vegan option, replace mozzarella with vegan cheese. Many brands offer great dairy-free cheese that melts well. You can also add more veggies. Consider using spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers. They add color and nutrients to your meal. While penne is classic, you can use other shapes too. Fusilli, rigatoni, or even shells work nicely. Choose a pasta that holds the sauce well. Smaller shapes catch the cheese and sauce better. If you want a twist, try whole wheat or gluten-free pasta. They bring unique flavors and textures to the dish. In Italy, many regions have their own takes on this dish. In Naples, they may add olives or capers for a salty kick. In Sicily, you might find eggplant mixed in. These changes reflect local tastes and ingredients. Exploring these variations can be fun. It allows you to taste different Italian flavors right at home. To store leftover Pasta alla Sorrentina, let it cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This keeps the pasta moist and fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave. To freeze Pasta alla Sorrentina, let it cool completely. Then, portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. It can stay fresh in the freezer for about two months. To reheat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in the oven or on the stove until hot. Pasta alla Sorrentina stays fresh for about three days in the fridge. If you freeze it, it lasts up to two months. Always check for any off smells or changes in texture before eating. Enjoy your cheesy comfort meal without worry! Pasta alla Sorrentina is a classic Italian dish from Sorrento. It features penne pasta, crushed tomatoes, and two types of cheese. The dish is baked until bubbly and golden. It is both cheesy and comforting. This dish has roots in Neapolitan cuisine. It celebrates simple, fresh ingredients. Yes, you can make Pasta alla Sorrentina ahead of time. Cook the pasta and prepare the sauce. Then, mix them and add the cheese. You can store it in the fridge for up to two days. When you're ready, bake it as directed. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Pasta alla Sorrentina pairs well with garlic bread. A simple green salad also works nicely. You can serve it with roasted vegetables for a healthy side. A glass of red wine enhances the meal. These options complement the dish's rich flavors perfectly. Pasta alla Sorrentina is a delightful dish made with penne, tomatoes, and cheese. We've covered everything from choosing the right ingredients to cooking, combining, and baking. Tips for perfecting the sauce and melting cheese help elevate the dish. You can even explore variations, like vegetarian or different pasta shapes. For those storing leftovers, we discussed best practices to keep it fresh. Enjoying this dish means exploring its origins and serving it alongside your favorites. Dive into making Pasta alla Sorrentina; it’s both simple and satisfying!

Pasta alla Sorrentina

A delicious baked pasta dish with tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g penne pasta
  • 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
  • 200 g mozzarella cheese, diced
  • 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  • Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir. Add dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  • Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the diced mozzarella, allowing it to melt slightly with the residual heat.
  • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple of minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Keyword baked, Italian, pasta