Pasticciata Pasta Ring

The “pasticciata” pasta ring is a traditional dish that brings the taste of homemade Italian cooking to your table. “Pasticciata” generally refers to baked pasta with a rich sauce and a generous amount of cheese. The doughnut shape is a fun variation and can have a crisp crust with a soft and juicy center.

Ingredients

• 500 g of short pasta (such as rigatoni or ziti)
• 400 ml of strained tomatoes
• 200 g of ground meat (beef or mixed beef and pork)
• 100 g of sausage, crumbled
• 150 g of provolone or mozzarella, cut into cubes
• 100 g of grated Parmesan
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil (optional)
• Butter for greasing the pan
• Breadcrumbs for dusting the pan

Preparation

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. Prepare a sauce by sautéing the onion in the extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent. Add the ground meat and sausage, cook until browned, and then pour in the tomato sauce. Add salt, pepper, and basil. Let the sauce cook over medium-low heat for at least 20 minutes until it thickens.
3. In the meantime, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water until it is al dente (about 2 minutes less than the time indicated on the package), then drain and cool it under running water.
4. In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the meat sauce, cubes of provolone or mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan.
5. Grease a doughnut-shaped baking pan with butter and dust with breadcrumbs. Transfer the pasta into the pan, pressing it slightly to ensure it holds its shape during baking.
6. Sprinkle the surface with the remaining Parmesan.
7. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the surface turns golden brown and crispy.
8. Let the pasta ring cool for 5-10 minutes before unmolding and serving.

Something interesting: the term “pasticciata” comes from the fact that the ingredients are “messed up” together, that is, mixed in a random way. This term is often associated with Italian home cooking dishes that have that homey, comfort food flavor.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. It’s a dish that brings joy and conviviality to the table, perfect for family lunches or gatherings with friends. Bon appétit!