MommaPoppa’s Lasagna
Mentioned in
S2E7: Tasteful Noods Adventure
"If a giant noodle touched my hair, I would shoot it on sight."
— Honeybee
"If a giant noodle touched my hair, I would shoot it on sight." — Honeybee
The Episode
In The Great North episode “Tasteful Noods Adventure,” Ham Tobin finds himself swept into the marinara-scented chaos of MommaPoppa’s Ristorante as part of Career Week, a school initiative designed to force teenagers into questioning their future while wearing hairnets. MommaPoppa’s, run by the disarmingly cheery duo of Momma Marita and Poppa Paul, initially seems like a haven of carbs and kindness. But, as Ham quickly discovers, beneath the al dente facade lies a sinister truth: they’re re-serving uneaten pasta from customers’ plates.
This moral spaghetti knot is the creation of Ted Travelstead, who writes the episode with a knowing wink and a keen eye for the absurdity of both food service and adolescence. Directed by Michael Baylis, the episode carries the frenetic energy of a kitchen in the weeds, with Ham caught somewhere between an overboiling pot and a “closed due to health code violations” sign.
Let’s not overlook the scene-stealing Momma and Poppa, voiced by Patti LuPone and Ken Marino. Their performances shift seamlessly from warm encouragement to veiled threats, like a bowl of fettuccine with a secret kick of ghost pepper. And then there’s Noodie, the restaurant’s mascot—a person-sized noodle whose mere existence raises questions that no one really wants answered. With every unsettling wave of his floppy, carb-heavy arms, Noodie somehow manages to embody both the whimsy and dread of the restaurant industry.
As Ham wrestles with the ethics of ratting out MommaPoppa’s pasta practices, the episode serves up The Great North’s signature mix of hilarity and heart. By the end, you’ll be rooting for Ham, questioning your next plate of spaghetti, and wondering why, exactly, Noodie’s costume looks so damp.
MommaPoppa’s Lasagna
A comforting classic dish with peppy pepperoni on top.
Ingredients
12 lasagna noods
1 lb ground beef
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 egg
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Sliced pepperoni
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook lasagna noods and brown the ground beef. Add marinara sauce and simmer.
Mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Layer noods, ricotta mixture, beef sauce, and mozzarella in a greased baking dish. Repeat layers.
Top with mozzarella and pepperoni slices. Bake for 30-35 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, and serve.