Timpano Italian Pasta Dome is an outrageously delicious Italian pasta dish filled with layers of homemade meatballs, sausage, pasta, cheeses and marinara sauce wrapped up in a delicious butter crust.
Have you ever watched the movie, "Big Night"?
If you are a foodie and you have not yet seen it this movie, rent this movie over your holiday break. There is the famous scene from the movie where there is a large gathering in a restaurant. Everyone becomes silent as they bring out out to the main table the huge towering metal bowl on a rolling cart. The bowl lid is removed to reveal the ultimate Timpano Italian Pasta dome. There is a roar of applause and gasping as the staff cut into the master piece revealing the layers of pasta, meatballs, sausage, cheese, eggs and other goodies hidden inside the flaky crust of the dome. The scene ends with everyone in a food coma and crying because the meal was beyond their wildest dreams.
The Timpano Italian Pasta Dome is an EPIC meal. This recipe is not for the faint of heart and there is no way it can be made in 30 minutes or less. However, it will be a meal that will be talked about for ages to come. One bite and you will be hooked.
Imagine a bite of flaky crust and then savory tenter meatballs, sausage and aldente pasta and then all of the cheesy saucy goodness. In addition, the Timapano Italian Pasta Dome is a stunner! We highly recommend that you remove the bowl and cut it right at the table as it is a dramatic presentation.
The Timpano Italian Pasta Dome is a meal in itself. However a delicious Dried Cranberry Sugar Glazed Pecan Holiday Salad will take this meal over the top. While your guests are waiting for the big reveal, try our Feta Stuffed Mini Peppers or our Dairy Free Bolognese Polenta Bites
We have held on to this family tradition of making the Timpano Italian Pasta Dome for the last 25 years. Every year we learn something new while preparing this meal. We have learned more about each other as a family. We have bonded. We cherish the time together.
In addition, we have learned some tricks along the way to simplify the process and helpful hints to make you successful. Please excuse the older photos but each year we spent time with family and not on the photography.
Hints:
- Cook your meatballs, Italian sausage, sauces and pasta the day before in advance.
- If you are running low on time, you can use jarred pasta sauce. Of course homemade is better but we promise we won't tell a soul.
- Depending on the size of your bowl, you most likely will need to double your dough.
- In these photos we have shown the process of just making one large rolled out pasta dough sheet. However, this is harder to control. You might wish to make one sheet for the bottom of the bowl and a smaller dough sheet to cover the bottom.
- Get the dough as thin as possible without it tearing as you don't want to bite into a huge hunk of dough, keep it thin.
- Egg to flour ratio for your dough will depend on the size of your eggs. You may need to add more egg or a little cold water to get your dough to pull together.
- Do not get your pasta too saturated with sauce as then it will cause your Timpano Italian Pasta dome to collapse. It is better to serve a little extra sauce on the side.
- You will be tempted to cut the pasta dome right away...WRONG! Don't do it. Leave the pasta dome rest under the metal bowl for at least ½ hour. Longer is better as it allows the cheeses to hold the dome together.
- Between each layer of pasta and meats and cheese, press it down to get out as much air as a possible so it is very compact.
- You may need to lay over a sheet of aluminum foil over the flat part of the bowl in the last hour of baking so that the dough does not get too browned.
- Allow yourself plenty of time to assemble the Timpano Italian Pasta Dome as it takes longer than you think. Having extra pairs of hands to help you assemble is a very good thing.
- Be sure to use a serrated knife or super sharp knife to cut your masterpiece.
- Leftovers if you have any rock. You can freeze the rest for a rainy day.
- Take lots of instagram photos and be sure to tag us @hwcmagazine or #hwcmagazine. Be sure to follow us on instagram
We have a family tradition of making this Timpano Italian Pasta Dome together each Christmas and enjoying the holiday spirit. This recipe is quite labour intensive, but it worth every bite. From Healthy World Cuisine Kitchen to yours may your holidays always be happy and bright.
Timpano Italian Pasta Dome
Timpano Italian Pasta Dome is an outrageously delicious Italian pasta dish filled with layers of homemade meatballs, sausage, pasta, cheeses and marinara sauce wrapped up in a delicious butter crust.
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Servings: 12
Calories: 1304kcal
Ingredients
Items for the assembly (prepare in advance)
- 4 cups Basic Tomato Sauce
(see attached recipe) - 12-15 Italian meatballs
cooked (see attached recipe) - 1.50 pounds Italian sausage
cooked and sliced on a diagonal - 2 pounds rigatoni pasta
cooked al dente - Dough
recipe below - 2 cups parmigiano-reggiano cheese
freshly grated - 2 cups mozzarella cheese
grated - 6 hard-boiled eggs
sliced in quarters (optional) - Large metal bowl
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
toasted seasoned
Basic Tomato Sauce (Makes about 4 cups)- or if low on time can use canned sauce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
extra virgin - 4 cloves garlic
peeled and thinly sliced - 1 onion
peeled whole yellow - 12-15 whole cloves
to stud the whole onion - 36 oz Canned tomatoes
(crushed tin tomatoes) (My kids dislike chunky tomato sauce so I blend one half of tomatoes in blender before adding to sauce) - 6 oz tomato paste
- ½ cup red wine
dry - 1 tbsp sugar
or sugar alternative of choice - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
dried - Salt and pepper
to taste - 6 leaves basil
fresh or 1 teaspoon dried basil
Basic Béchamel sauce (Makes about 3 ¼ cups)
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Italian Meatballs (Makes about 12-15 meatballs)
- ½ pound ground veal
(minced) - ½ pound ground pork
(minced) - 1 pound ground beef
(minced) - 1.25 cups bread crumbs
dry seasoned - 2 tbsp parsley
flat leaf fresh, chopped - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
dried - ½ cup Parmesan cheese
freshly grated - 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
freshly ground - ¼ tsp nutmeg
dried ground - 1 large egg
beaten - ¾ cup water
warm - Oil spray for baking sheet
Dough
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 oz butter or 6 ounces lard or vegetable shortening
- 4 egg yolks
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter
unsalted - 1.5 breadcrumbs
toasted - 2 tbsp olive oil
extra virgin - 1 tsp ice water
Instructions
Make Basic Tomato Sauce (if low on time you can buy pre-made jar tomato sauce)
- Place the pointed end of the 12-15 cloves and pierce into peeled whole onion so that you have a studded onion. Next put 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauce pan on medium heat and then place whole clove studded onion in oil and brown over medium meat for about 5 minutes until the flavors are infused into the oil. Remove whole onion. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until golden brown. Then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, sugar, salt, pepper and basil. Turn down the heat to low simmer and cook nice and slow for about and hour. If sauce consistency is too thick then add more wine or water and if sauce is too thin then add more paste to suit your preference. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Make Béchamel Sauce (if low on time you can buy the pre-made jar Béchamel sauce)
- In a medium saucepan, heat the butter until it is melted. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat until light golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the milk in a separate pan until just about to boil. Add the milk to the butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and season with salt and nutmeg.
Make the Italian Meatballs (makes about 12-15 meatballs) - if low on time can buy pre-made meatballs
- Preheat oven to 350 F (176 C)
- Place the ground meats, both breadcrumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and ¾ cup warm water in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs.
- Lightly spray a baking sheet and place meatballs a few inches apart and bake in oven for about 25-30 minutes until no longer pink in center.
- Take meatballs out of oven to rest. Meatballs can be placed in freezer for later use or place meatballs directly into marinara sauce and serve.
Toast breadcrumbs over a medium heat until golden brown. Set aside
Pan fry your Italian sausages. Cool and cut on a diagonal and set aside.
Boil your rigatoni pasta according to the directions. Drain and drizzle with a little olive oil and set aside.
Directions for dough and assembly of Timpano
- To make the dough: Place the flour on a wooden work surface, make a well in the top.
- Cut the butter into ¼-inch pieces and place in the center of the well with the yolks, ½ teaspoon salt, and a teaspoon of ice water.
- Mix well with the tips of your fingers to form a lumpy mass
- Bring together as a dough and knead for 4-5 minutes.
- Wrap in plastic and set aside. (it is very probable that depending on the size of your bowl you may need to double the dough recipe) - We used a
- Preheat oven to 375-degrees F (190 C).
- Roll out dough to a large circle ¼-inch thick.
- Butter the metal bowl and dust thickly with the toasted bread crumbs.
- Line the buttered dish completely with the sheet of dough, with a 1 ½-inch edge overhang.
- Boil 6 quarts (6000ml) of water in a large pasta pot, then add 2 Tablespoons of salt.
- Cook the rigatoni in the boiling water, 3 minutes less than the package instructions state.
- Drain and refresh under cold running water, or an ice bath, until cold, 2-3 minutes.
- Toss with olive oil, and set aside
- Mix half of the cooked rigatoni/ziti with 2 ½ cups tomato sauce and ½ cup of Parmiagiano, and set aside.
- Mix the remaining cooked rigatoni with half of the Béchamel sauce, ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg.
- Place this béchamel sauced rigatoni/ziti into the bowl, and press lightly.
- Place ⅓ this tomato sauce rigatoni into the bowl and press lightly.
- Sprinkle with some of the grated Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Arrange the meatballs on top in an even layer, and press down again.
- Sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Spread the tomato sauced pasta over the meatballs and press down gently. Make sure to press down between each layer to remove the air.
- Add a layer of sliced cooked Italian sausage and if you wish cooked eggs and repeat with a final layer of rigatoni with tomato sauce.
- Fold the extra dough over the whole thing, and press gently to seal.
- Cover the open top with foil and bake for about 2 hours.
- Remove from the oven, remove the foil, and invert onto a large serving platter, without removing the bowl.
- Allow to rest at LEAST 30 minutes, then carefully loosen the pasta around the sides with a knife and knock with your knuckles to release the bowl. The longer rest time the better as it allows the
- cheese to bind the timpano for a clean and neat slice.
- Serve immediately with the remaining shredded Parmesan cheese on the side, cutting the timpano into wedges to serve. Timpano is great dish for a crowd with a side salad. Open a bottle of sparkling grape juice for the kids and a glass of red or bubbly for the adults and have your self a Happy Holiday.
Notes
- Cook your meatballs, Italian sausage, sauces and pasta the day before in advance.
- If you are running low on time, you can use jarred pasta sauce. Of course homemade is better but we promise we won't tell a soul.
- Depending on the size of your bowl, you most likely will need to double your dough.
- In these photos we have shown the process of just making one large rolled out pasta dough sheet. However, this is harder to control. You might wish to make one sheet for the bottom of the bowl and a smaller dough sheet to cover the bottom.
- Get the dough as thin as possible without it tearing as you don't want to bite into a huge hunk of dough, keep it thin.
- Egg to flour ratio for your dough will depend on the size of your eggs. You may need to add more egg or a little cold water to get your dough to pull together.
- Do not get your pasta too saturated with sauce as then it will cause your Timpano Italian Pasta dome to collapse. It is better to serve a little extra sauce on the side.
- You will be tempted to cut the pasta dome right away...WRONG! Don't do it. Leave the pasta dome rest under the metal bowl for at least ½ hour. Longer is better as it allows the cheeses to hold the dome together.
- Between each layer of pasta and meats and cheese, press it down to get out as much air as a possible so it is very compact.
- You may need to lay over a sheet of aluminum foil over the flat part of the bowl in the last hour of baking so that the dough does not get too browned.
- Allow yourself plenty of time to assemble the Timpano Italian Pasta Dome as it takes longer than you think. Having extra pairs of hands to help you assemble is a very good thing.
- Be sure to use a serrated knife or super sharp knife to cut your masterpiece.
- Leftovers if you have any rock. You can freeze the rest for a rainy day. This recipe can sure feed a large crew at least 12 and there will still be leftovers. You can store your Timpano Italian Pasta Dome covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months in a freezer safe container.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 1304kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 73g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Cholesterol: 270mg | Sodium: 2310mg | Potassium: 1154mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1585IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 547mg | Iron: 7mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag us @HWCMagazine or hastag us #HWCMagazine!
As a girl we would make smaller versions of this - several at a time for the big family holidays. The smaller ones cook faster and we had such a small oven. This brings back the memories.
Great idea! You could make your own individual portion timpano in small bowls. How fun!
What size bowl was used in this recipe and was it glass, metal or ceramic?. Thank you.
Hi Michael, thank you for your question. The type of bowl used to make timpano is a stainless steel mixing bowl. The bowl needs to be oven proof. So if you have an oven proof glass or ceramic bowl, use that. We are all about using what you have on hand. The size used for this recipe is a 5 quart mixing bowl. Our Timpano pasta dome recipe makes enough for 12 people at least. If you want to make a smaller Timpano pasta bowl, use a smaller bowl and reduce the ingredients. In addition, you can also use 2 smaller bowls and split up the ingredients to make 2 timpano pasta bowls and eat one for dinner and freeze one for another day. We hope this helps. Stay well and take care
*laughter* Have not seen the film ! Vaguely knew the name ! Well, when The Monster has departed these parts and I can have all my big burly male pals in for a 'feed' - this does sound oh so very moreish an offering !!! Methinks I would be rather popular . . .
Hiya Eha and thank you. If you do get a moment, the movie "Big Night", is a must see for any foodie. This Timpano Italian Pasta dome does feed a huge crowd and then some. This year we are going to downsize this recipe to a much smaller bowl for an intimate family pasta dome. Hope you are staying well. Take care
This is a great tradition and it looks wonderful -- I get the impression this is good a day or two after the holiday.
Thanks Ken! This recipe can sure feed a large crew at least 12 and there will still be leftovers. You can store your Timpano Italian Pasta Dome covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze up to 2 months in a freezer safe container. Stay well and take care
We watched the movie this weekend and then searched for Timpano and found your delicious recipe. Pinned this recipe so that we can make as a family during the holidays.
So happy to hear Jennifer. The Timpano pasta dome is a family tradition over the holidays for our family and hope it will be for your family too. Happy pinning!
lol...ive looked several times for this recipe..i was searching for tombino ha no wonder never any hits!!
i have made it once but lost written recipe so thk you
in directions...there are errors, it says rather than dough your recipe states pasta to line the bowl with and fold over top with pasta...might want to correct for any confusion to
other cooks attempting this wonderful meal.
respect in food...
Dear Tanya, I am so glad you found the recipe you were looking for. Thanks for letting me know about the recipe error in the directions and have made changes accordingly.
What a beautiful post! I love hearing stories of family traditions Bobbi! My first glance I thought "there's a gazillion calories in that..." However, the holidays we dispense with calorie counting, so I'm pinning this one! Merry Christmas!
Thank you Tamara. If you can't treat yourself on Christmas, then it just would not be Christmas. Calorie counting is suspended on x-mas day. LOL Wishing you and your family a super holiday and 2016.
Goodness, that's a lot of ingredients 😉 I love this and it's totally worthy of a special occasion dinner 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Holey Moley that dish is a MASTERPIECE! I SO want to make this!
Thanks Ann! This dish takes a long time to make but the wow factor is big. My kids would be heart broken if I ever broke our family tradition. Take Care, BAM
How did I miss this! This looks absolutely delish- something you would just want to dive in to. You have encouraged me to make this and watch Big Night! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Shumaila. Watching Big night is a must to do if you are a foodie. It will give you a big incentive to try creating the timpano. Take Care, BAM
I love that movie! Thanks for sharing this recipe; I have always wanted to make this.
Thanks for stopping by. I love Big night it is a foodie's movie come true. Great movie! Have a great holiday. BAM
That's the kind of family tradition I would love to adopt. I've wanted to make one of these for ages, but haven't quite summoned enough courage.
Looks fantastic.
Thanks for stopping by. I think once you find the perfect metal bowl to make it in then the rest is a very fun family activity. We use the family popcorn bowl. It is the perfect size for out timpano. Have a great holiday. BAM
Hello Jill, thanks. I always get very nervous when it is time to pull off the bowl, but if you pack the ingredients between the layers tight it turns out perfect every time. Your last entry of russian tea cakes sound so light and delicious. Looking forward to staying in touch. Take Care
Wow! What a gorgeous presentation this has!
This looks amazing!
Thank you very much for stopping by. I absolutely love your cooking website. Your dishes are so beautiful!! Take Care
That is absolutely fantastic. I'm so making that in the New Year. Wow!
Thank you. I hope you have a safe and happy holiday and a great time in your kitchen this holiday season.
This is such an impressive dish and it looks so delicious! Merry Christmas to you Bobbi! Happy holidays!
Thanks Jasline. It really is quite yummy... wishing you and your family a happy holidays and happy new year. Take Care
I'm definitely making this! 🙂 Cannot wait!
Hello Jen, This is such a fun dish to make with family and friends. Thanks for stopping by. BAM
Oh wow, I have truly never seen this before, what a great show stopper of a dish!
Thank you. I also remember your whole boneless duck/chicken. That was also a show stopper... I hope you have a happy Holiday and especially very happy Chinese New Year. Take Care, BAM
You're a braver woman than I am, Bobbi!
Looks amazing, and probably tastes even better!
Thank you. It is the kind of dish that is nice to have lots of people to help. Actually making it together is part of the experience. However, my favorite part is that I usually assemble it the day before and just bake it on x-mas day. Have a safe and happy holiday. BAM
This looks amazing. I love that you do it every year. It's definitely a celebration food!
Dear Greg, your timpano you posted looks awesome as well. Family traditions are always treasured. Wishing you and your family and friends a safe and happy holiday. BAM
I saw this recently on another blog and have put it high on my food to-do list to try. This thing is just awesome!
Thanks Joanne, this dish would be dashing in a video.... Maybe next year. Happy Holidays, BAM
It looks fantastic! I've never made it before, I should definitely try!
Happy holidays Sibella! This dish is fun for a gathering. But hold off to take the bowl off at the table when serving guests as this adds to the wow factor. Take Care, BAM
Lots of hard work. Actually I suggest starting the procedure the day before, but so very yummy! Take Care
So impressive! Happy holidays to you and yours.
🙂 mandy