Pasta dishes initially written down (6)

I believe the answer is:

penned

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'written down' is the definition.
'penned' can be an answer for 'written' (written with a pen). I am not certain of the 'down' bit.

'pasta dishes initially' is the wordplay.
'pasta' becomes 'penne' (penne is a type of pasta).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'dishes' is 'd'.
'penne'+'d'='PENNED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for penned that I've seen before include "Wrote; confined" , "Confined; written" , "Wrote; enclosed" , "Corralled" , "in captivity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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