Pasta O’s and Noodle Ring Day

Today is National Noodle Ring Day. It’s my first share for this particular day. And I gotta tell you, this is a stretch. The only thing “ring” about this dish is that Ring Pasta was used.

So just what is a Noodle Ring? Simply put, it’s cooked pasta with something to bind the pasta together that is put into a mold such as a Bundt pan, then baked in the oven. At least that’s what the Pennsylvania Dutch told us in 1936. Then in 1965 the Catholics revived the Noodle Ring only this time the middle of the ring was filled with creamed fish. I think the creamed fish thing is why I’ve never had Noodle Ring.

Now I will admit, the modern take on this very retro dish sounds delicious – pasta, milk, eggs, cheese and maybe chopped Broccoli or dices asparagus or even little shrimp. All good. And one of these days I’ll need to try my hand at a true Noodle Ring.

But I gotta tell you, when I saw ring pasta, it made me think of Spaghetti’Os. I was barely a teenager when a friend invited me to hang out at her house, listen to records and eat Spaghetti straight from a can. Canned spaghetti? Are you serious? I had never heard of spaghetti in a can. When we had spaghetti at my house, it was an all-day project. I was amazed. And let me tell you, I thought it was the greatest thing since bubblegum.

So today I share with you home-made Spaghetti-os. Here’s to childhood memories, friends of old and strange things that a teenager will eat.

Pasta O’s
1 cup O Ring Pasta
1 (10 oz) can condensed Tomato Soup
1 soup can Chicken Stock
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Optional Additions
3 Beef Hot Dogs, sliced

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 5 minutes or until mostly cooked. Drain well.

Return pasta to the pot. Add the condensed soup and chicken stock. Over medium-low heat, bring mixture to a low boil. Heat through until the pasta is tender.

Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls, serve and enjoy.

To Add Hot Dogs: Slice hot dogs into bite-size pieces. Add to the pot along with the soup. Let simmer until everything is heated through and pasta is tender.

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Aren’t you glad I didn’t go for a Gelatin Spaghetti’Os with Vienna Sausage?