MAMA ISA'S PASTA AL FORNO (Baked Pasta)
INGREDIENTS
(serves
6 -7 people)
(Pasta
al forno is traditionally
considered a PRIMO PIATTO
in
Italy, but it's a meal in itself!!!)
500
g short, dried pasta (I only use Gragnano
pasta which may take also 12-15 minutes to cook,
tubular
pastas like Rigatoni)
1
recipe of Mama Isa's Bolognese sauce (in Italian Ragù alla
Bolognese)
1 recipe of Mama Isa's Béchamel sauce (in Italian
Besciamella)
100 g grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese( aged 24
months) plus a bit more for topping
salt to taste
a few pats of
unsalted butter
PREPARATION
Cook
the pasta in well salted water as you normally would (al dente) and
drain the pasta into a colander.
Pour
the drained pasta into a large bowl, add the meat sauce (Ragù
Bolognese sauce) and mix well. Then add half of Béchamel sauce (if
the bésciamelle is a bit dry or sticky, add some milk), add the
grated Parmigiano Reggiano, and mix.
Take a large baking dish and pour a few pats
of unsalted butter here and there and 4-5 spoonfuls of Béchamel.
Pout the contents of the large bowl into a baking dish. Top with all
the Béchamel and a few pats of butter here and there.
Taste
and adjust for seasoning; the mixture should be quite savory.
Preheat
the oven (200 °C).
Bake
in a hot oven (200°C) for about 30 minutes, until the top is nicely
golden - browned.
Let
the dish rest at least 5 minutes before serving and if you like, add
more Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese grated on the top.
Serve
warm!
TIP: Baked Pasta can also be made in advance and served for parties or on picnics
