My dear friend from Italy, a whirlwind of energy yet always eager to share a recipe, recently gifted me with two of his kitchen favorites.

These dishes bring a touch of Italian warmth straight to your table.

Whether it’s the robust pasta bake or the comforting rice casserole, they promise to delight anyone who tries them.

Crafted for simplicity and convenience, these recipes embody the joy of uncomplicated, hearty meals.

You’ll find them perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Imagine a dish that not only fills the stomach but also soothes the soul with every bite, all thanks to the culinary traditions of Italy.

Hearty Pasta Bake

Ingredients:

• 250g pasta (any type suited for bakes)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 raw sweet red pepper, diced
• 600g minced meat (beef or pork)
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 leek stalk, finely chopped
• 40g butter
• 20g all-purpose flour
• 500 ml milk
• 100g hard mozzarella cheese, grated
• Vegetable oil (for cooking)
• Salt, to taste
• Dried ground oregano, to taste
• Dried ground sweet paprika, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. In a large pot, boil the pasta with a pinch of salt until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large frying pan, heat some vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, and sweet red pepper until soft.
4. Add the minced meat to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned. Season with salt, oregano, and paprika.
5. Stir in the tomatoes and leek, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until everything is well combined.
6. For the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a separate pan. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens.
7. In a baking dish, layer the cooked pasta, meat mixture, and béchamel sauce. Top with grated mozzarella.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Savory Rice Tomato Casserole

Ingredients:

• 300g rice
• 300g mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 eggplant, cubed
• 100g mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tomato, sliced
• Vegetable oil (for cooking)
• Salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• Dried ground Provençal herbs, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Cook the rice according to package instructions until just underdone. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat some vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms until tender.
4. Season the vegetable mixture with salt, pepper, and Provençal herbs.
5. In a large baking dish, layer the rice, sautéed vegetables, and sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle each layer with grated mozzarella.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.

Both of these recipes not only offer a taste of Italian comfort food but also bring a piece of Italy right to your dining table.

Enjoy crafting these dishes that are sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

See the full recipe below.

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By Michael Dabu

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Michael Dabu is a contributor at SBLY Media.