Pasta Al Forno

Step 1

Grate pecorino cheese and cube the block mozzarella.  Chop onion and mince garlic.  Crush the plum tomatoes by hand or pulse blend for 1-2 seconds.

Step 2

In a large sauce pan on medium heat saute onions for 5 minutes in 1/4 cup olive oil or until translucent.  Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes more.

Step 3

Add ground beef and pork to pot and brown for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.  Break up any large pieces with wooden spoon.  Next, add the tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes more, mixing it all together.

Step 4

Add the 1/2 cup of wine and cook for 5 more minutes.  Add crushed plum tomatoes to pot and stir it all together.  Once sauce starts bubbling turn heat to low and simmer for 30 plus minutes, the longer the better.  Leave the pot partially covered while cooking and stir every 15 minutes to avoid sticking.

Step 5

After the sauce has been simmering for a while boil pasta to "al dente" in salted (2 Tbsp kosher salt per gallon) water.  Taste test the sauce and make any changes to salt or pepper if needed.  Place 3 cups of the sauce in a large bowl with the cooked pasta and mix well.

Step 6

Lightly oil a large baking dish and place a ladle of sauce on the bottom.  Layer some of the pasta on top.  Add half the cubed mozzarella and 1/4 cup of the pecorino all over.

Step 7

Repeat with more pasta, a little bit of sauce, the remaining mozzarella and another 1/4 of pecorino.  Bake in a 375f oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly.  Serve with Italian bread, extra sauce, and grated pecorino. Enjoy!