Baked Pasta and Potatoes

Baked pasta and potatoes is a delicious dish that combines the creaminess of potatoes with pasta, all gratinéed with a beautiful crust on top. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 400 g of short pasta (such as ditalini, penne, or rigatoni)
• 600 g of potatoes
• 1 white onion
• 100 g of diced cooked ham (optional)
• 200 g of mozzarella
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 400 ml of tomato puree
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt, pepper
• Basil or rosemary (depending on preference)
• Vegetable broth or water

Preparation

1. Begin by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into small cubes.
2. Prepare a sauté with the chopped onion in a little extra virgin olive oil, until it becomes transparent. If you want to add cooked ham, do so at this point.
3. Add the potatoes to the sauté and let them brown for a few minutes.
4. Pour in the tomato puree and add basil or rosemary. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook for about 10 minutes, then add some vegetable broth or water to keep the sauce from drying out too much.
6. In the meantime, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water for about half the time indicated on the package. It should be very al dente.
7. Drain the pasta and put it in the pan with the potatoes and sauce, mix well to flavor.
8. Cut the mozzarella into cubes and incorporate it into the pasta and potato mixture.
9. Take a baking dish, grease it lightly with oil and transfer everything into the dish.
10. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and bake at 200 °C for about 20-30 minutes, until a golden crust forms on the surface.

Curiosity

This dish reflects the tradition of using leftovers in the kitchen to create hearty and tasty meals. The combination of pasta and potatoes is typical of Southern Italy, and it is a recipe that varies slightly from region to region, with some variations including bits of sausage or the use of different cheeses. In this baked version, the dish gains a richer and more rewarding consistency, ideal for warming up the colder days.