When you begin making pasta there are a couple of quintessential Italian pasta recipes. Old standards that always make an appearance in some form on Italian menus. For the most part, these tend to be comfort food dishes whose origins lie in the peasant dishes brought over from the “Old Country” with long departed ancestors. They are usually satisfying and filling. The most obvious of these is the ubiquitous spaghetti and meatballs. It can be easily modified to for dietary restrictions and young palates making it a family favorite. You can go all out and make homemade pasta or use your favorite dried version. Here’s a pretty straightforward recipe for Mama’s spaghetti and meatballs:
Spaghetti and Meatballs
For Meatballs:
1/2 pound each, Ground Beef, Pork and Lamb
1/2 cup Breadcrumbs (Homemade or Store Bought)
3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 egg
1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmigianoo-Reggiano Cheese

1/4 cup Whole Milk
Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper to Taste
For the Red Sauce:
16 ounces Tomato Puree
8 ounces Tomato paste
1 White Onion, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 cup Sugar
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 tablespoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper to Taste
Method:
Mix ingredients for meatballs. Careful not to over mix. Roll meat mixture into golf ball size balls and set aside. In large, heavy bottom pan, heat 1/2 cup olive oil on medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches being careful not to crowd the pan, 8-10 minutes per batch. Remove meatballs and allow to rest.
Drain off left over pan drippings reserving 2 tablespoons. Return pan to medium heat and add onion and garlic. Sauté until onions are translucent, do not overcook, or garlic will become bitter. Add remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat for one hour.
Cook Spaghetti according to directions above and add to the sauce with 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Allow to cook 1-2 minutes. Add meatballs and stir to coat. Transfer the entire mixture to a heated platter and garnish with more cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Once you have mastered the Red Sauce above the ways you can use it are endless. You can use it in lasagnas and over all types of noodles. Another old standby is Stuffed Shells with Red Sauce.
Stuffed Shells with Red Sauce
1 16 oz container Ricotta Cheese (Full Fat or Skim)
1 package Frozen Spinach, chopped
1/2 tablespoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg
1 package Large Shells, cooked according to package directions
1 batch of Red Sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup grated Mozzarella Cheese
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the first three ingredients and season with salt and freshly grated black pepper to taste. While shells are cooling grease a 9 by 13 inch Pyrex pan. Ladle a moderate portion of Red Sauce into the pan. When shells are cool enough to handle, use a large spoon to stuff the cheese mixture inside. Place shells in Pyrex pan until pan is full. Cover shells with remaining Red Sauce and cover tightly with foil. Bake 20 minutes then remove foil and sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Return to oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and shells are heated through.



Another simple yet fabulous dish to make with fresh pasta is Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil. This dish is so simple and is really best when tomatoes are in season. Simply dice fresh tomatoes and basil and combine with the best olive oil you have. A lighter oil works best here because it will really let the fresh ingredients shine. Cook the fresh pasta according to directions, when done toss it with the tomato basil mixture. Season with salt and pepper. This dish is excellent served hot but takes on an even more complex flavor when served room temperature.


Rich meat sauce or Bolognese sauce is meat based sauce originally from Bologna, Italy. According many recipes in Bolognese sauce is included at least small amount of tomato sauce or tomato paste.
Bechamel sauce or white sauce is one of the main sauces from French cuisine and is used in many recipes in Italian cuisine.
1 tin (425 g) peeled tomatoes
Sift the flour on a work surface and make a well in the center. Put the eggs, oil and salt into the well and mix together with fingers. Slowly work in the flour to firm a crumble dough. Knead to a firm but flexible dough, adding a few drops of water if is needed. Knead for 10 minutes, until smoth and elastic. Cover and leave to rest at least for 1 hour.
When Shaping pasta the daugh should be used immediatelly, without drying. For flat and ribbon pasta dust the dough lightly with flour and leave to dry out for 15 to 20 minutes, but be carefull not allow to become brittle. Cut flat pasta into shapes. Roll ribbon pasta into a loose swiis roll and cut across into strips.
For homemade pasta, put the pasta into a large pan containing 11-13 cups fast boiling water and 1 1/2 tablespoon salt. Stir well, then boil steady, uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes until al dente, just tender but firm to bite. Test frequently to avoid 