Okay,
I might have been a little hard on the Mrs….Mrs. Ina Garten that is, but she does still have some gems and this particular pasta dish was first tested and tasted 2 years ago in Greece.
It was a cool evening and we had family over and it was one of my few chances to use the kitchen (other than prepare a salad). Greece is hot, very hot in the summer and the kitchen is nowhere to be spending your vacation.
This pasta dish is very easy to make and the prep work is completed even before the pasta is ready. It’s so simple, mix all the ingredients in a bowl then toss the cooked pasta and throw in a dish and bake until golden & gooey.
My relatives in Greece loved this pasta and the penne vanished from the serving dish. Serve it with a green salad, some red wine and you’re off to play backgammon again!
This recipe is not Ina Garten’s but I first saw it on her show and she gives due credit to the authors of the dish. I liked this penne dish so much that I bought the book called Cucina Simpatica, written by Johanne Killeen and George Germon.
One final note, in Greece I could not find fontina cheese but Gouda works just fine as a substitute.
OH man this looks so good! Time t go home and make dinner I don’t think I will be able to concentrate much longer otherwise.
We love this dish too. It’s one of those meals you don’t mind having for leftovers 2 days in a row.
Lori, great to hear…the taste factor goes way beyond how easy this is!
This “macarrones” look absolutely delicious!!!!
This is true comfort food Peter. The simpler version mac ‘n’ cheese is the very first thing I ever learned to make when I was a child. I love all the different cheeses and the use of the penne. Our local pub used to make a similiar dish but added smoked chicken. I was very unhappy when it was taken off of the menu!
I am SO making this tonight..my hubby isn’t a fan of gorgonzola like I am..so I’ll double up on half for me!
Kimberley
We all love pasta so I think it’s a great recipe for my family.
Too fun Peter, I have the same book! In the book it is called “Penne With Tomato, Cream, and Five Cheeses” I have made it myself and have it ear-marked in my book. I have also tried the Pasta with Cauliflower on pg. 98 and also the Pasta In Pink on pg. 93 is yummy also. Nice photos! They make me want to make it again!
Deb, that’s great news…it really is a nifty book..good taste we share!
This looks just fabulous…
Cucina Simpatica is a great book, I’ve had it for years and used to use it a log. I remember some deep-fried little sandwiches with anchovies and sage — so good. As far as I can tell there aren’t any stinkers in the book — and this pasta recipes looks wonderful.
Five cheeses in one pasta!?! mmm…
ARGH!!! Now I’m starving. That looks marvelous!