Sunday Baked Pasta

Sunday Baked Pasta is a traditional and comforting dish, often associated with family lunches. Here is the recipe with all the steps to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 500 g of short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or similar)
• 400 g of mozzarella or scamorza, cut into cubes
• 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 400 g of tomato pulp or puree
• 300 g of ground meat (beef and pork mix)
• 150 g of various cured meats (cooked ham, pancetta, salami)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil
• Butter for greasing the baking dish

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. In a large frying pan, sauté the onion and garlic in the oil until they become translucent.
3. Add the diced cured meats and let them flavor for a few minutes.
4. Add the ground meat and cook until well browned, then add the tomato pulp. Cook for about 20 minutes, adjusting with salt and pepper.
5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water until it is almost al dente (remove it 2-3 minutes before the time indicated on the package). Drain the pasta and cool it under cold water to stop the cooking.
6. In a bowl, mix the pasta with the meat sauce, half of the grated Parmesan, and a handful of torn basil leaves.
7. Grease a baking dish with butter and pour in a first layer of pasta.
8. Distribute a layer of mozzarella or scamorza cut into cubes on top, then continue with another layer of pasta. Repeat alternating the layers until all ingredients are used.
9. Cover the last layer with the remaining Parmesan and a few flakes of butter.
10. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the surface becomes golden and crispy.

Let the baked pasta rest for a few minutes before serving it. This dish lends itself well to many variations: you can add layers of grilled vegetables, such as eggplants or zucchini, or enrich everything with hard-boiled eggs cut into wedges if you wish.

Curiosity

Sunday Baked Pasta is a rich and hearty dish that in Italy is often prepared for special occasions or for Sunday lunch when gathering with family. Each region then has its own versions and secrets to make it unique.