Pasta Pie

This is one of those recipes you can make when you think you have nothing to cook. There is certainly nothing outstanding about any of the ingredients. Probably you will have them on hand. But, the end result is wonderful. This would be a great brown bag food, or to have on hand for the weekend.

Don't be afraid to adjust the herbs or spices to suit your taste. When I made this a few days ago I had no ham, so I used some of the fabulous Parma salami that my friend Joyce (October Farm) sent in her last "care package".

Pasta Pie
serves 6-8
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1/2 pound egg noodles, broken into pieces
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 eggs
1 cup diced cooked ham
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 1/2 teaspoons paprika
salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
roasted red peppers for garnish

Cook the noodles until they are not quite al dente (they will cook more in the oven). Drain, rinse well in cold water, and drain again. In a small saucepan, saute' the garlic in the butter over moderate heat until limp (do not brown) and reserve.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Beat the eggs well and add the reserved garlic and butter as well as the ham, cheese, parsley, thyme, oregano, paprika, salt, cayenne. Tabasco, and black pepper. Mix the noodles into the sauce, then pour into a buttered pie pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until firm and nicely browned on top. Remove from the oven and cool. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate until well chilled. Cut into slices, garnish each slice with two pieces of roasted red pepper, and serve cold.