PASTA TORTE

Pasta Torte

Make your favorite sugo (pasta sauce) to go over this when you're bored with serving that basic plate of pasta! REAL COMFORT FOOD!

1 pound ricotta cheese
1 pound rigatoni, ziti, or mostaccioli pasta
2 eggs beaten
5 tablespoons Parmesan
1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon butter
8 ounces mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons parsley, fine chop (optional)
1/4 cup chopped prosciutto (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10-inch springform pan.

Cook pasta until tender.

In a medium bowl, combine ricotta and eggs plus 3 tablespoons parmesan (and parsley) and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons parmesan until blended. Toss pasta with butter.

Layer 1/3 pasta, 1/2 ricotta, 1/3 mozzarella, 1/2 prosciutto and 1/3 breadcrumbs in the pan. Repeat layers, finishing with 1/3 pasta, mozzarella and breadcrumbs. Bake 30 to 35 minutes (40 to 45 minutes if refrigerated). Cool 10 minutes.

Run knife around and remove sides of pan to serve.