Messy Tortiglioni

Messy Tortiglioni are a hearty and tasty dish, a kind of baked pasta with various ingredients that make it particularly juicy and satisfying. Here is how you could prepare it with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 400 g of tortiglioni
• 300 g of tomato sauce
• 200 g of ground beef
• 100 g of mozzarella
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh basil to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F).
2. Put a pot of salted water on the stove and bring to a boil to cook the tortiglioni until al dente.
3. In the meantime, in a large pan, fry the finely chopped onion and garlic in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
4. Add the ground beef and sauté over high heat until well browned. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Pour the tomato sauce into the pan with the meat and let it cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, until it has slightly thickened. Add the chopped basil during the last minutes of cooking.
6. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and pour it into the pan with the meat sauce, mixing well to ensure that the sauce is evenly distributed.
7. Take a baking dish, grease the bottom with a little oil, and place a first layer of pasta. Add pieces of mozzarella and sprinkle with a little grated Parmesan.
8. Create additional layers alternating pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, until all ingredients are used.
9. Bake the messy tortiglioni for about 20 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown and crispy.
10. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Fun Fact

The name “messy” refers to the “mess” of ingredients that are mixed together, creating a dish that is rich and full of distinct yet harmoniously combined flavors. This type of baked pasta is perfect for occasions when you want to prepare a tasty meal that can satisfy the palate of all diners.