Pasta 'ncasciata is a celebratory baked pasta dish originating in the Sicilian comune (municipality) of Messina; however, today there are numerous versions from every province of Sicily and Calabria. Ingredients vary according to the region as well as personal preferences. For example, while the dish usually uses two types of cheese, béchamel sauce may be used in lieu of one of the cheeses. It was traditionally baked in a dish placed over, as well as covered by, hot coals. The dish was made more well known by Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano.[1][2][3][4][5]
The Enna version is the most different from the others as it does not use ragù, eggplant or caciocavallo. Instead it uses cauliflower, pecorino siciliano, sausage and other ingredients.[2]
Syracuse
The Syracuse version is most similar to the versions from neighboring provinces of Ragusa and Enna, as it omits the ragù, eggplant and caciocavallo as well, but instead uses ricotta, pecorino siciliano, cauliflower and eggs poured over the dish before baking.[12]
Caltanisetta
In Gela, in the province of Caltanissetta, cauliflower is also sometimes used instead of eggplants, and anchovies are sometimes added.[10]
Calabria
The version from Calabria is most similar to the Messina version made with maccheroni pasta, ragù, meatballs, boiled eggs, fried eggplant, caciocavallo or provola silana, pecorino siciliano and often additional ingredients such as soppressata, meatballs, salami, boiled eggs and breadcrumbs.[13]
