What Italian phrase means oven-baked, as in lasagne al forno?

The Italian phrase meaning oven-baked, as in lasagne al forno, is “al forno.”

The expression literally means “at the oven” or, more naturally in English, “baked in the oven.” It describes a cooking method rather than one particular ingredient or recipe. Lasagne al forno is assembled in layers and finished in an oven, usually until the sauces are hot and the top is browned.

Al forno is used for many Italian dishes, including pasta, pizza, vegetables and baked breads. In pasta dishes, the pasta may be boiled first and then baked again with sauce, cheese or other fillings. This double cooking helps produce the soft, cohesive texture associated with baked pasta.

A common mix-up is “al dente,” which describes pasta cooked until it retains a firm bite. “In brodo” means served in broth, while “alla griglia” means grilled. Those phrases describe different preparations, so they are not alternatives to al forno.