Adriana's Pasta Pie

Prep Time: 30 Minutes

Cook Time: 255 Minutes

Ready In: 285 Minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

1 cup bread crumbs

1 small onion, chopped

3 large eggs

1/2 cup parmesan

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

5 cups cooked tubetti pasta (tiny tubes or baby shells work best)

1/2 pound shredded mozzarella

1/2 pound shredded provolone

3/4 cup grated parmesan, plus extra for garnish

2 cups adriana's tomato basil sauce, recipe follows

1/3 cup olive oil

4 cloves minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

56 ounces canned tomatoes

24 ounces tomato paste

56 ounces water

1 1/2 tablespoons salt

1 teaspoon black ground pepper

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup fresh whole basil leaves

1 (2-ounce) chunk romano cheese

Directions:

1. Crust:
2. Mix crust ingredients gently to combine. Do not over mix. Put mixture into a lightly greased 10-inch pie plate. Shape meat to form a 1-inch thick crust.
3. Filling:
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Mix filling ingredients and scoop into meat crust.
6. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Let pie cool for 15 minutes before cutting into 8 pie slices. Top each slice with Adriana's Tomato Basil Sauce and sprinkle with a little Parmesan.
7. Tomato Basil Sauce:
8. In large pot, cook garlic and red pepper flakes in oil on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes only. Add tomatoes, paste, water, all seasonings, and fresh basil. Bring to a boil and then reduce to low heat. Add the chunk of Romano cheese. Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours stirring often.

By RecipeOfHealth.com