Nunna’s Bitchin Baked Macaroni
I say Bitchin, but also Beloved.ย Nunna made this for so many Holiday parties- for me its is an incredible taste memory.ย This is a baked pasta with layers of a Sausage, and Ricotta, delicious tomato sauce, layered with Mozzarella, Parmesan cheese.ย She poured her love in every dish, and made enough for an army- and as much as I loved the 1st serving, it was even better the next day.ย I was the kid that never liked left-overs, but this was a container I went searching for the next day (before my brothers and sisters!)
Today, I also love to make this for parties.ย Easy to put together, and I always get requests for the recipe.ย AND I still love the left-overs!ย This is a next-level comfort food. THIS is the REAL DEAL
Italian Baked Macaroni
There are hundreds of different recipes for baked pasta, or Pasta al Forno, from Italy. Baked Macaroni is traditional with a meat sauce or โraguโ, a tube pasta type such as macaroni (in Italian โmaccheroniโ). rigatoni, ziti or penne and some soft or semi soft cheese as well as parmesan, pecorino or grana.ย In Italy, pasta is typically not the main course. It is the โprimoโ or first course and is often followed by meat or fish.
As a primo course, pasta is often served with a lighter sauce, but on special occasions and family gatherings baked pasta is a popular tradition, and may be served as a secondi.ย You will love this classic Baked Macaroni…Mama Mia!
Make Nunna’s Bitchin Baked Macaroni
Nunna's Bitchin Baked Macaroni
Equipment
- 1 XL Turkey Roaster with lid I use a 21 in speckled black rectangular roaster with a lid
- 1 XL Cooking Pot 40-60 Qt size
- 1 Pasta strainer
- 1 XL fry pan 5-6 Qt
- 1 Mixing Bowl 12-16 Qt
Materials
Meat Mix
- 3 lbs Sausage
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 large Onion (diced)
Tomato Sauce
- 1ยฝ 66oz Ragu Tomato Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- ยฝ Onion (Diced)
Pasta
- 3 16 oz boxes Rigatoni or ziti
- 2 Tbsp Oil
- 1 tsp Salt
Ricotta Mix
- 1ยฝ 32 oz tubs Ricotta Cheese
- 3 Eggs
- 1 tsp Pepper
- ยฝ tsp Salt
Cheese
- 3 lbs Mozzerella Cheese
- 1ยฝ 5oz tubs Shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Make the Sauce
- Sautรฉ the diced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of a large pot
- Add Tomato sauce
- Stir occasionally and allow to simmer on a low temp for at least 1 hour
Make the Meat Mixture
- Sautรฉ the diced onion and minced garlic in a large fry pan
- Add sausage and brown together
- Set aside
Boil the pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil
- Add oil and salt
- Add pasta to the pot and stir occasionally for about 13 minutes or until the pasta is al dente
- Put the pasta into a strainer and rinse with cold water
Prepare your Ricotta mix
- Mix Ricotta and eggs, Pepper and Salt
Prepare your Pan/Oven
- Use a thin coat of cooking spray to line the bottom and sides of your roaster base
- Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees
Create your layers in the roaster
- Start with creating a layer of noodles using approximately โ of the pasta
- Layer a sprinkling of โ of the meat mixture on the pasta
- Layer โ of the Ricotta mix on the meat mixture
- Layer โ of the Mozzarella cheese on the Ricotta mix
- Layer โ of the Parmesan Cheese on next
- Sprinkle pepper on the layer
- Repeat the layering 3 times
- Place the lid on the roaster and insert into the oven
- Cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour
- Remove the lid and broil at 450 for 10-15 minutes to get a nice brown on the top (Watch this step carefully)
- Be careful when removing the hot and heavy roaster from the oven
- Also be careful to remove the lid away from your face and arms- (Steam can burn)
- Slice into deep squares and serve warm
Aphrodesi’hacks’ for Nunna’s Bitchin Baked Macaroni
- Make pasta Components ahead of time and store in the refrigerator- the next day you can assemble in your roaster in no time!ย You can also bake ahead of time, and then warm right before serving.
- Let your pasta sauce simmer -(Ragu) the flavors meld- and your house will smell great! (You could even add a little left over red-wine)
- Cook your pasta according to the package directions with olive oil and salt.ย Wait for the water to boil rapidly and cook for about 13 minutes- or to an al dente firmness.
- Many recipes use ground beef- Italian sausage is so much better!
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and bake for an hour.ย Carefully take the lid off, and broil at 450 for 15 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden.ย Sprinkle the top with Italian seasonings.
- This pasta is amazing fried in Olive oil the next day- You get crispy and crunchy edges that add a whole new flavor level.ย You will love fried Baked Macaroni
- This recipe is Mega- Italian style!ย Perfect for parties.ย Perfect for special occasions, and perfect for large family gatherings- Kids love this great recipe
- Look forward to your left overs- store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย This Baked Macaroni recipe also stores well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months
Nunna loved this site.ย She loved that we featured her recipes, and would always ask if her recipes were leading the ratings.ย Be sure to check-out a few of her other recipes including, Sh#t on a Shingle, Shutthef*ckupcakes, and Chorizo Chica…
We lost Nunna just over a year ago.ย Her legacy of love, laughter, and beautiful food lives on with us.
Swearing with love and a pinch of salt
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