MORE PLEASE - THE BAKED PASTA ONE

AL FORNO ALL DAY BABY

This episode is an examination of the wintry treat that is a baked pasta dish. I love setting a massive pasta bake down on a crowded table and watching the chaos unfold. Something about British people and cheesy, slightly burnt crispy bits, we just can’t get enough. I wanted to treat my lovely More Please subs to three gorgeous recipes that explore the breadth of possibility within the Baked Pasta genre - cheesy, creamy, meaty, veggie, celebratory, leftovery - there’s lots to talk about.

First we have a simple, all bases covered Pasta Al Forno. Al forno means “in the oven” if that was confusing you at all. Ours is a standard but glorious cheese and tomato affair, featuring heavy hitters such as béchamel, mozzarella, dollops of seasoned mascarpone and lots of pasta.

When dreaming up this episode, I could almost hear the Cannelloni calling me. Theres a little bit more effort required here, but it’s incredibly delicious and a lovely feasting dish. I’ve riffed on a veggie lasagne I used to make a lot when I would cater the odd hen do and works divinely with the cannelloni; pumpkin, mushrooms, sage and spinach all featuring.

And finally, a lasagne with a difference. Lasagne Alla Napoletana is traditional around Carnival in Naples and epitomises the indulgence and celebration of the festival, much needed before the beginning of the frugal Lenten fast. Stuffed to the gills with a tomatoey meat ragu, tiny little meatballs, ricotta, mozzarella and (if you’re up for it) boiled eggs, it is truly a labour of love and utterly luscious.