The latest television show to come from the mind of SNL alum and 30 Rock creator Tina Fey is The Four Seasonson Netflix. The new series, which stars Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo and Will Forte may seem like a watered-down version of The White Lotus for middle-aged adults who can’t handle tropical humidity, but it’s actually a remake of a 1981 film of the same name that was written by, directed by and starred American actor Alan Alda.
The iconic actor might be best known for his role as Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce in the TV show M*A*S*Hin the 70s and 80s, but he also has a claim to fame in the food corner of pop culture. Most notably, his super simple, ingenious baked pasta recipe, which has had people, including Rachael Ray herself, talking about it for years.
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What Makes Alan Alda’s Pasta Bake So Special?
Alda went on The Rachael Ray Show back in 2018 to demonstrate how to make Maccheroni all ‘Ultima Moda 1841 alla Napoletana, his favorite baked pasta recipe. The recipe sounds fancy, but based on Alda’s walk-through, it’s actually pretty easy. The dish comes from a classic 1989 Italian cookbook, Classic Techniques of Italian Cooking.
It’s easy to see what sets this recipe apart right off the bat. Instead of boiling the dry pasta in a pot of salted water, you start by tossing the uncooked pasta in a generous amount of olive oil and letting it sit for a bit. In the recipe demo, Alda admits that this step might be “hard to believe” and slightly controversial, but you’ve got to trust him on this one.
Tossing the dry pasta in olive oil (the original recipe calls for 3/4 cup of olive oil, but Alda says he uses a little less) helps flavor the pasta. The key is to let the pasta sit and bathe in the oil for 20 minutes so the oil is fully absorbed. According to Alda, it’s important to use “good olive oil” because you’ll definitely be able to taste it in the final dish.
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How to Make Alan Alda’s Pasta Bake
To make Alan Alda’s favorite pasta bake, start by tossing a pound of short dried pasta (Alan uses rigatoni) with olive oil in a large bowl, then let it rest for 20 minutes. When the time is up, mix in three large cans of crushed tomatoes and their juices, salt and freshly ground pepper.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, cover with foil and bake at 400° for 45 minutes, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Once the pasta is out of the oven, sprinkle with a generous amount of Parmesan cheese, toss one final time and serve immediately.
If you plan on going on a getaway with your friends, like the characters in The Four Seasons, this dish would be the perfect thing to whip up in your vacation rental kitchen.
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