Go Back
A rustic ceramic casserole dish filled with baked Boscaiola pasta, fresh out of the oven with bubbly cheese on top.

Baked Orecchiette alla Boscaiola: A Rustic & Creamy Pasta Bake

This Baked Orecchiette alla Boscaiola is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a rich and creamy mushroom and sausage sauce. A perfect, hearty pasta bake for a cozy family dinner that is guaranteed to impress everyone at the table.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 780

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Orecchiette pasta
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 lb Mild or hot Italian sausage casings removed
  • 1 large Onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 16 oz Cremini mushrooms sliced
  • 1/2 cup Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
  • 28 oz Crushed tomatoes one large can
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 cup Heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, divided
  • 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Oven-Safe Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish (if skillet is not oven-safe)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orecchiette according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking it apart, until browned (5-7 minutes). Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened.
  3. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 8-10 minutes.
  4. Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping the bottom of the pan. Let it reduce for a minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently for 2 minutes.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the sauce, stirring to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  7. Top the pasta with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan and the shredded mozzarella. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don't overcook the pasta initially: It will finish cooking in the oven.
Use freshly grated cheese: It melts much better than pre-shredded varieties.
Let it rest: Allowing the bake to rest for a few minutes before serving helps it set up nicely.