BAKED MACARONI PIE RECIPE
Food Festivals of Italy
by James Fraioli and Leonardo Curti
Pasticcio Di Maccheroni
(Baked Macaroni Pie)
Serves 6-8
Pie Crust
~ 1 cup unsalted butter
~ 2¼ cups flour
~ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
~ 1 teaspoon sugar
~ 3 to 6 tablespoons ice water
Homemade Tomato Sauce
~ ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
~ 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped
~ ¼ small yellow onion, finely sliced
~ 3 (28-ounce) cans tomatoes, with Juice
~ 5 fresh basil leaves
~ Salt and pepper, to taste
The Filling
~ 8 ounces penne pasta
~ 1 cup Homemade Tomato Sauce
~ ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
~ ½ cup grated mozzarella
~ 3 or 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped
~ Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Pulse the butter, flour, salt, and sugar in a Cuisinart until the mixture resembles a course meal.
With the machine running, pour in 3 tablespoons ice water and pulse Add additional ice water if necessary, until the mixture forms a ball Turn off machine and remove the dough ball Separate in half and store in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
NOTE: Dough can be stored in refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator, and let sit on a floured work surface for 10 minutes With a rolling pin, roll each dough ball into a 10-inch circle, set aside.
In a heavy stockpot, add the oil, carrot, and onion and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes Add the tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper Bring ingredients to a boil, and then turn heat to low and cook for an additional 20 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid scorching If sauce is watery, continue to simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. After cooking, set contents aside and let cool When cooled, puree in a blender This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions; drain.
In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the Homemade Tomato Sauce, cheeses, basil, salt, and pepper.
In a greased 8-inch pie dish, layer the bottom with one of the rolled doughs, like making a pie, fill the dish with the pasta mixture and then top with the second dough, using a fork to seal the edges Bake the pasta pie in a preheated 375-degree F oven for about 45 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool before slicing.
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