Gluten-Free + High Protein Pasta Al Forno

As someone with deep italian roots, my love for pasta runs deep. Pasta al forno, in particular, transports me right back to my childhood - it’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect as we ease into the cooler months. My girlfriend has crafter a cozy recipe that’s simple yet incredibly satisfying, using just a few ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 whole box (227g) of gluten-free pasta (fusili or rotini shape)

• 4 spicy italian sausages, casings removed

• 1 pound (450 g) of ground beef

• 1 whole red onion, diced

• 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

• 2 zucchinis, sliced into circles

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1 cup (225 g) grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

• 1 whole jar (approximately 700 ml or 680 g) of tomato sauce

LET’S GO!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking later.

2. Fill a large pot with water, bring it to a boil, add a pinch of salt. Once boiling, add the gluten-free pasta and cook it until it’s just al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

3. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium-heat. Add the ground beef and the sausage meat (casings removed), breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the meat is well-browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a plate.

4. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the deiced onion. Cook until the onion is translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced zucchini and cook for another 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for and additional 3 minutes.

5. Return the cooked meat to the skillet. Add the tomato sauce, salt, and black pepper, stirring everything to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer for about.5 minutes to meld the flavors.

6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to ensure it’s well coated with the sauce and mixed with the other ingredients.

7. Sprinkle the grated Parmigiano Reggiano evenly over the top of the mixture.

8. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.

9. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to set. This also makes it easier to serve.