Pasta Alforno ~ Mid Week Munchies

For the next several weeks, I on want to focus on hearty, yummy, home cooked dinners. Soups, pasta, rolls etc. Dinner around the kitchen table is a big part of my family's life and when the food tastes great who doesn't want to sit down and visit. Pasta Alforno is a dinner staple. My husband taught me this recipe and over the years I have tweaked the original recipe, just slightly.

Although homemade pasta sauce, like my mom makes is delicious, I make this quicker version and it still tastes amazing. Start out with your favorite pasta sauce. I use 1-2 jars of Barilla marinara sauce, then I add my own homegrown stewed tomatoes (1-2 bags). Let sauce and tomatoes simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Add some of your favorite cheeses: romano, gouda, mozzarella or parmesan. You pick.

1/2 cup to a full cup of heavy cream. This makes a creamy (less acidic) sauce. I first add a 1/2 cup and then go up from there. Continue stirring.

I also add a pound of browned ground beef. A few bay leaves, a dash of oregano, italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

This is approximately what your sauce should look like after simmering on  low for 20 minutes. This recipe should make about 6-8 cups of sauce. Any left over sauce can be refrigerated or frozen to use later.

I love Barilla penne pasta, but I also buy Garofalo penne (from Costco) and it is great. Cook the pasta only half way in boiling water for 5-7 minutes. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven.

Mix pasta and sauce in a large bowl until pasta is covered with sauce. Pour pasta into a 9 by 13 pan add a little cheese to the top and cover with tin foil. Cook for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Alforno is an italian word for baked! Enjoy!