Recipe Details

Summary

Name: Pasta Al Forno

Category: Italian

2 lbs. rigatoni

1/4 cup pancetta, very thinly sliced

(if you can't find pancetta, use regular bacon)

2−1/2 lbs. Italian sausage, casing removed (hot or sweet, your preference)

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

8 Ounce mixed mushrooms, sliced (variety your preference)

3 tbsp. julienne basil

3 tbsp. chopped parsley

3 lbs. ricotta

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 cup chicken stock

2 cups grated provolone cheese

1−1/2 cups crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (or blue cheese)

1 28−oz can Italian plum tomatoes, drained and chopped

1−1/2 cups grated pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan)

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water until only halfway

cooked, according to package directions. Drain, and rinse under cold water

to stop cooking. Toss with a minimal amount of olive oil to prevent

sticking.

Cook pancetta (or bacon) in large skillet over medium heat until well

browned, and crisp, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Drain on a

paper towel. Add sausage to drippings in skillet and cook, breaking up large

pieces, until well browned. Transfer to paper towel. Pour off all but 3

tbsp. drippings from skillet. Add onion, carrot, mushrooms, basil and

parsley. Cook until onion is tender, and mushrooms are golden brown. Season

with salt and pepper and set aside.

Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Spray a large baking pan well with cooking

spray.

Place ricotta in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in cream. Stir in stock. Add

pasta, pancetta, sausage, onion mixture, provolone, Gorgonzola, tomatoes,

and 1 cup Romano. Season with salt and pepper and stir well. Transfer to

prepared dish. Sprinkle with remaining Romano. Cover and bake 35 minutes.

Remove cover and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until very golden brown,

and bubbly.