Nonas Italian Pasta Casserole Food

NONA'S ITALIAN PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cut pacetta or Canadian bacon into pieces.
• Break pasta in half and boil it until it's still a little hard.
• Drain pasta and set aside.
• In a skillet heat the olive oil.
• Sauté celery, mushrooms, and onion until tender.
• Add meat and spices and cook until meat is brown; set aside.
• Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add to meat mixture and blend well.
• Pour into a baking dish and cook until cheese is melted and pasta is thoroughly cooked (about 30 minutes).
• Note: You may want to boil some extra pasta to serve with this because the dish by itself is very rich. The mushroom pieces should be sized to the cooks personal taste. I prefer bigger pieces while my mother likes smaller. Canadian bacon works just great.

NONNA'S ORIGINAL BAKED RAVIOLI PARMEGIANA

Steps:

• 1. Think about how many raviolis each person would eat...I USUALLY MAKE more B/C 1. WE ALWAYS seem to have moochers looking for a great Italian meal; 2. we have leftovers to bring to work!-DO NOTE: due to the copious amounts of cheese herein- THIS RECIPE IS A FILLER UPPER FOR SURE! KIDS licking the plate is guaranteed! NOTE: for a romantic dinner for 2= you should make(2)-1.lb bags...because you can give the rest to your man to take home and think about how big the rock has to be to get this meal for the rest of his life!
• 2. Boil the water. SALT IT TOO! EVERY ITALIAN HATES PASTA THAT IS NOT SEASONED WHILE BOILING.Using any square or rectangle casserole dish, spread some Sunday Gravy (only the sauce/no meat here yet)on the bottom to prevent the casserole from sticking. When the water has a rolling boil to it- add a lite splash of olive oil to it (to prevent the ravioli from sticking). Toss in the ravioli and UNDERcook it. When they start floating to the top, they usually need to go a bit more to cook- BUT we NEED to take them out b/c they'll finish in the oven- and we don't want them to come out "MUSHADA"..(or mushy). They need to be al'dente!!!The cheese inside will also finish cooking in the oven while baking.
• 3. Drain the raviolis and put BACK in the pot. Drizzle a tiny bit of EVOO to coat and prevent them from sticking together while assembling the casserole. Have the grated cheese and shredded mozzarella side by side in dishes ready for layering.
• 4. Depending the size of the casserole used will govern the amount of mozzarella and grated cheese you use. Keep in mind NOT to make 'too cheesy" due to the cheese in the raviolis. Lay out each ravioli side by side in a grid formation. Cover with a ladle or 2 of gravy, top with 1-2 handfuls of mozzarella, then(1)heavy spread out sprinkle of grated cheese. Next, lay out (ON TOP) the 2nd layer of ravioli, followed by the sauce,mozz,and grated cheese. (NOTE:I presented Nonna w/a variation to this recipe by adding little broken bits of meatballs and sausages in between the layers and she kissed me & said DELIZIOSO!)Authentic Italian Pork Ragu (recipe coming) goes amazing with this casserole! Finish the layering process, top w/remaining mozzarella and grated cheese.
• 5. Bake uncovered in a 350 oven for 30mins or until browned and bubbly. I have made this many times and frozen it BEFORE the baking process. Just seal it up w/foil and let it thaw out before baking it. You can bake it covered and then uncover it halfway if you think its not thawed out enough. Stick a thermometer inside to check its cooked inside to at least 165degrees.Nobody likes cold in the middle ravioli!

NONNA'S PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• Put meat on a baking tray and bake, until juices run clear, about 20 minutes Process the carrot and onion together in a food processor, till smooth.
• Fry garlic in oil in a large saucepan, add the carrot and onion and bay leaf, fry for 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and wine, bring to a boil.
• Lower heat to simmer and add the cooked meat, leaving whole.
• Add spices.
• Let simmer 2hrs on low.
• Serve over pasta.
• Top with freshly grated Parm cheese. When the sauce is ready to serve take the meat out and put on a serving dish and pass with the sauce.......the meat will be melt in your mouth good!!