Norma's pasta pie

1 large pie

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
Your own favorite recipe for
A two crust deep dish pie.
2 mediums Red Peppers
2 mediums Yellow peppers
1 medium Onion
2 tablespoons Olive oil
1 large Egg
1 can 15 oz part skim ricotta
Cheese
1 pack 10 oz frozen chopped spinach
1¼ cup Marinara or spag. sauce
2 cups Scant 2 cup dry Rotini pasta
Or two frozen deep dish
Pie shells from grocery
1 teaspoon Dried basil leaves
¼ teaspoon Ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon Salt
Thawed and squeezed dry
1 pack 8 oz shredded mozzarella
Cheese (2 cups)
¼ teaspoon Salt

Directions

CRUST

VEGETABLE MIXTURE

CHEESE MIXTURE

SAUCE

PASTA

This all can be done on one day, but the directions show a two day schedule of preparationa. The pie should be assembled and baked the same day. It does not turn out as well if you assemble it, refrigerate the whole pie, and then bake it the next day.

DAY BEFORE Vegetables: Cut Red and yellow peppers into 1 inch pieces.

Chop onion. In 12 inch skillet over medium heat, in hot olive oil, cook onion until tender crisp; add red and yellow peppers, basil, black pepper and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender. Remove, and refrigerate until next day.

DAY BEFORE OR THE SAME DAY IF YOU WISH Cheese: In cup, beat egg slightly. Reserve 1 tablespoon beaten egg (for crust- later) Set aside, cover in fridge for next day.

In medium bowl, mix remaining egg with ricotta cheese, well drained spinach and ¼ teaspoon salt.

PASTA: Prepare day of baking.

Prepare pasta as label directs, but do not use salt in the water; drain.

SAUCE: Have ready, and measured out.

ASSEMBLY:

Have home made crust ready for rolling, or take frozen crust out and let defrost for time on package. (Remember - deep dish size) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 9" x 2½" SPRINGFORM PAN. On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll ⅔ of the dough to 15 inch round. For frozen dough, one crust should roll to needed size. Gently ease crust into springform pan, allowing dough to hang over side of pan slightly. Sprinkle bottom crust with half of the mozzarella cheese; top with half of sauteed pepper mixture, spread half of ricotta cheese mixture over pepper mixture; top with the pasta, then the marinara sauce.

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over sauce, top with remaining sauteed pepper mixture, then remaining ricotta cheese mixture.

Roll remaining crust to 11 inches round; lay dough over filling, allowing dough to hang over side of pan. Fold overhang in toward center, pinching dough all around to make a stand up edge; flute. Cut slits in top crust to allow steam to escape during baking. Brush top and edge with reserved tablespoon of egg.

Bake pie 55 to 60 minutes until crust is golden and filling is hot.

Allow pie to cool 5 minutes for easier slicing. Remove side of springform pan.

To serve, cut into wedges. Makes 8 servings.

As listed is vegetarian. To add meat, ½ pound ground beef or mild italian sausage, browned and drained my be added to the marinana sauce, then proceed as above.

I have not made this, but have eaten this dish. It is a show stopper on presentation and taste.

A nice touch is to cut pastry leaves and place on the top crust before brushing with egg. Makes it look very professional.

Submitted By DALE SHIPP On 03-17-95

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