Baked Cavatappi In Tomato Sauce Food

BAKED CAVATAPPI WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500˚ F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook 2 minutes less than the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, cook the sausage in 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove to a plate using a slotted spoon.
• Heat 1 more tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and herbes de Provence and cook 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes, sausage and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more cooking water. Stir the pasta into the sauce.
• Whisk the ricotta, 1/4 cup cheese blend, the lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and 3 tablespoons cooking water in a bowl. Layer half of the pasta and ricotta mixture in an 8-inch square baking dish, then top with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture and cheese blend. Bake until bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Toss the lettuce with the lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Serve with the pasta.

BAKED CAVATAPPI IN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Fill the pasta pot with salted water (at least 1 tablespoon salt), and heat to a rolling boil. Stir in the cavatappi, and cook at the boil until al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package directions). Drain the pasta well in a colander, and put it in a big bowl. Pour in 2 cups of the tomato sauce, sprinkle over it 1/2 cup of the grated grana, and toss well, to dress all the cavatappi evenly.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400°; brush the baking dish with the butter. Spill in half of the dressed pasta, spreading it out to fill the pan bottom in an even layer, and arrange the cooked egg slices on top. Scatter half the shredded provola evenly over the eggs, then spread a cup of tomato sauce on top of the cheese. Next, arrange all the remaining pasta in a flat, even layer, then spoon 3/4 cup tomato sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining grated grana and the rest of the provola over the pasta; scatter the bread crumbs over all, and drizzle the last bit of tomato sauce on the top.
• Tent the baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil, arching it so it doesn't touch the crumb topping and pressing it against the sides. Set the dish in the oven, and bake for 35 minutes, then remove the foil, and bake another 15 minutes or so, until the top is nicely browned and crusty. Serve hot!

CAVATAPPI WITH BROCCOLI SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until very tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the broccoli to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon, reserving the water in the pot. Add the pasta to the boiling water, stir and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, pat the broccoli dry and transfer to a bowl. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the broccoli until mostly smooth but still slightly chunky.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until starting to sizzle and the garlic is just browning, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the broccoli and combine with a rubber spatula, lightly mashing it with the oil and cooking down the broccoli a bit further, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water to the skillet. Stir to combine and add the cheese. Continue to fold the broccoli and pasta together until the sauce coats the pasta, adding more cooking water as needed to loosen, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
• Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with more cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

BAKED CAVATAPPI WITH SMOKED HAM AND FONTINA

Steps:

• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, saute mushrooms in 1 tbs.
• butter over medium heat for two minutes.
• Add Sherry, stir for 1 minute and remove mushrooms from heat.
• Cook the cavatappi in the boiling water until al dente and drain.
• While pasta is cooking, melt 3 tbs.
• butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the flour and whisk until smooth.
• Gradually add milk and continue whisking.
• Stir over heat until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add sauteed mushrooms, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
• Butter a large ovenproof dish, and arrange 1/3 of the cavatappi in the dish.
• Top with 1/3 of the cheese and ham and spoon on 1/3 of the sauce.
• Repeat the layers two more times, ending with sauce.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until heated through and bubbly, about 20 to 30 minutes minutes.
• (Casserole may also be refrigerated and baked later. Increase baking time to 30 minutes for a chilled casserole.) (DJM notes: use a dish smaller and a little deeper than a basic 9x13.).

CHERRY TOMATO & RICOTTA CAVATAPPI

Steps:

• Heat the grill to its highest setting and bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and fry the garlic for 30 secs until sizzling. Add the tomatoes, then swill out the cans with a splash of water and add this, too. Season well and simmer for 15 mins to reduce slightly. When the water is boiling, stir in the cavatappi and cook for 1 min less than pack instructions.
• Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, double cream and a grating of nutmeg in a bowl, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Taste the tomato sauce for seasoning, then drain the cavatappi and add to the sauce along with the basil. Stir to combine. Tip half the pasta mixture into the base of a medium ovenproof dish, then dollop over half the ricotta mixture. Pour the rest of the pasta mixture on top, then spoon over the rest of the ricotta mixture. Don't worry about making it look too neat - you want large pockets of the creamy ricotta mixture throughout the bake.
• Sprinkle over the parmesan, then slide under the hot grill for 5 mins, or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. Serve immediately with crusty bread for mopping up the bowls.