This simple baked dessert leans on pantry ingredients and a bit of oven magic to turn dry ditalini into a soft, pudding-like treat with a comforting texture. It is the kind of casual weekend recipe that feels a little surprising the first time you make it, since pasta is more often associated with savory dishes, yet it works beautifully here by absorbing sweet dairy as it bakes.
Serve this warm on its own or with a spoonful of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a handful of fresh berries for contrast. Coffee, black tea, or a glass of cold milk all pair nicely, and if you are putting together a late-summer dessert table, this fits well beside fresh peaches or sliced melon.
4-Ingredient Oven-Baked Sweet Ditalini Pudding
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 cups dry uncooked ditalini pasta
4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease an oven-safe glass baking dish to help prevent sticking around the edges.
2. Pour the dry uncooked ditalini into the baking dish, then add the milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir well so the sugar begins to dissolve and the cinnamon is distributed throughout the milk.
3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven, carefully uncover, and stir thoroughly so the pasta cooks evenly and does not clump.
4. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for 20 to 25 minutes more, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed into a creamy, pudding-like consistency.
5. Let the dessert rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. It will thicken a bit more as it cools. Spoon into bowls and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Add vanilla: If you are comfortable stretching beyond the four basic ingredients, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract with the milk for a fuller bakery-style flavor.
Use a larger dish if needed: A shallow 9-by-13-inch glass dish helps the pasta cook more evenly. If you use a deeper casserole dish, you may need a little extra baking time and one more stir halfway through.
Adjust sweetness: For a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar to 1/2 cup. If serving with ice cream or sweet fruit, that lighter sweetness is often enough.
Watch the texture: The exact bake time can vary with the size and shape of your dish. You want the pasta fully tender and the mixture creamy, not dry. If it looks too firm before the pasta softens, stir in a small splash of hot milk and continue baking.
Try a fruit topping: Spoon the warm dessert into bowls and top with sliced peaches, strawberries, or blueberries for a fresher August feel and a little color contrast.