Put a Ring On It Pasta Bake: Timballo di Anelletti al Forno

Combine breadcrumbs with grated cheese and parsley.  

Heat a pot of water to boil for pasta rings.

Heat a Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat. Add EVOO, 3 turns of the pan, add carrots, celery, onions, garlic and partially cover the pot. Sweat the vegetables 5 minutes, add beef and season with salt, pepper, fennel seed and red pepper flakes and brown lightly, crumble into fine pieces. Add a glass of red wine and let it absorb fully. Stir in passata and simmer at lowest heat 1 hour, then add peas and basil then simmer 10 minutes more. Remove from heat to cool to room temperature.

Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package directions in salted water, drain and cool, then add to sauce.

Preheat oven to 400˚F.

Spray or brush a large bundt or springform pan liberally with EVOO or spray with non-aerosol OO spray, add breadcrumb mixture to coat liberally and gently press into place along sides and bottom, reserving extra crumb mixture.  

Fill pan with half the pasta, then nest in diced ham and cheese, top with remaining pasta and top that with remaining breadcrumb mixture. Bake pasta 25 to 30 minutes mid-oven to golden and hot through. Let stand 10 minutes, then invert carefully on large cake stand or serving platter or cutting board.