Pasta Pizzaiola

Name: Pasta Pizzaiola
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Rigatoni 0.7 lb; Tomato purée 4 cups; Pizza mozzarella cheese 2 ¼ cups; Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese to grate 3.5 oz; Garlic 1 clove; Basil to taste; Oregano dry to taste; Extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

it fr de es br

Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Lulù Gargari

Pasta with pizzaiola sauce is this awesome dish from Campania that brings such a tender, homey vibe to your table. Really good stuff. At the heart of the pasta pizzaiola recipe is a mix of tomato, garlic, and oregano. And you know what? It fills your kitchen with that tangy, herby aroma that's so unique to traditional Italian pasta. The sauce is pretty simple, but it totally comes to life with mozzarella and a generous sprinkle of parmesan. When it's baked—seriously good—the cheese becomes this gooey, stretchy layer with super crispy bits on top. Addictive, for sure.

Southern Italy has a bunch of similar pasta bakes, like pasta alla Sorrentina or pasta pasticciata, but pasta with pizzaiola sauce really really stands out. It's all about that bold oregano kick and how the cheese melts into every bite. Families there sometimes toss in different cheeses or sneak in spicy salami, but the classic version sticks to the basics. And here's the thing: the result is a dish that's moist and golden after baking.

What makes this pizzaiola pasta a weeknight favorite is how it combines homemade pasta sauce flavors with just a few ingredients. In Campania, using a good, ripe tomato is key—along with fresh oregano for that Southern Italian magic. Pretty much. This dish is perfect for sharing, ideal for a cozy dinner, and feels like pure comfort in a bowl. So when you're craving easy pasta recipes that don’t take all day but taste like a big family dinner in Naples, this one's it. It’s no wonder this dish is a go-to for anyone seeking real Italian comfort food. And it offers both crispy and tender textures in every bite. Plus, it effortlessly brings a piece of Southern Italy to your table—never goes out of style.

How to prepare Pasta Pizzaiola

To prepare pasta alla pizzaiola, first sauté a clove of garlic with a drizzle of oil in a pan 1. Pour in the tomato sauce 2, add salt 3, and pepper.

Flavor with fresh basil 4 and dried oregano 5, then cover with the lid 6 and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes.

Towards the end of the cooking time, boil the pasta in salted boiling water 7. Drain the pasta very al dente and place it in a bowl 8. At this point, the sauce will be cooked, so turn off the heat and remove the garlic 9.

Pour the sauce into the bowl with the pasta 10 and mix to coat it evenly. Add half of the grated Parmesan cheese 11 and half of the shredded mozzarella 12.

Mix well 13, then transfer the seasoned pasta to a baking dish 14. Distribute the remaining mozzarella on the surface 15.

Also sprinkle the rest of the grated cheese 16 and drizzle with some oil. Bake in a preheated static oven at 392°F for 15 minutes, then switch to grill mode and continue cooking for another 10 minutes 17. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving your pasta alla pizzaiola 18!