PASTA TIMBALLO LAYERED WITH EGGPLANT, BOLOGNESE RAGU, HARDBOILED EGG AND SCAMORZA CHEESE

Pasta Timballo Layered With Eggplant, Bolognese Ragu, Hardboiled Egg And Scamorza Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Time 3h25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 small eggplant, peeled and sliced thin (1/16-inch)
2 cups penne pasta cooked until al dente
1/4 cup sliced hardboiled egg
6 ounces bolognese ragu, recipe follows
Fresh basil leaves, as much as you like
1/4 cup pecorino
2 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 cup scamorza cheese grated
10 ounces salt pork or pancetta, rendered
1 quart water
1 cup diced carrots
2/3 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
1 1/4 pounds boneless ground beef, pork and veal
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste, mixed with 5 ounces broth of choice
Salt and pepper

Steps:

To assemble, brush bottom of clay bowl* or oven-proof bowl with olive oil. Sprinkle bread crumbs evenly around surface. Place half eggplant strips in the clay all around circumference, with half laying over sides of clay. In a mixing bowl toss pasta with egg, bolognese, basil, and pecorino cheese together. Season with salt and pepper (you may add garlic here, red pepper flakes, etc). Place the mixture in the clay. Top with rest of the sliced eggplant and close top with the overhang of eggplant. Remember to start at the opening so each slice closes the other. Spread tomato sauce over the eggplant slices and then spread with grated scamorza cheese. Lightly oil the top. Bake in the oven at 325 degrees F for about 1 hour. (See Cook's Note)
Bolognese Ragu:
Cook the pancetta in a heavy bottom pan over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, fat should begin to render Add the chopped vegetables and cook 3 minutes until onion becomes tender and vegetables wilting.
Add the ground meat, and turn heat to medium. Brown the meat, cooking 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the wine and tomato paste. Reduce heat to low, cook 1 1/2 hours, stirring continuously.
Check for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as necessary.