Baked Cavatappi With Sausage Food

BAKED CAVATELLI

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; set aside.
• In a large skillet cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until sausage is brown; remove from skillet. Drain.
• In a large bowl stir together pasta sauce, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and the pepper. Add the cooked pasta and the drained sausage mixture. Stir gently to combine. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.*.
• Bake, covered, in a 375°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until nearly heated through. Uncover; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.
• My card says it feeds 5 to 6, and I say a family of four -- and a sad ol'doggie -- for licking the casserole dish clean -- .

CAVATAPPI WITH SAUSAGE, KALE AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt.
• In a large saute pan, 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat along with the sausage and 'nduja and cook, breaking apart the meat into smaller pieces, until the sausage is browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and mushrooms and increase the heat to medium-high.
• Cook until the mushrooms begin to brown, then give them a stir and season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer for 1 minute. Add the kale and continue to cook until slightly softened, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Add the pasta to the water and cook to al dente.
• Strain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the water in a bowl. Add the pasta to the saute pan and bring to a simmer. Add pasta water by 1/4 cup as needed if the pasta is dry. Toss, cooking until the pasta begins to get coated and the sauce begins to thicken. Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add the butter, then remove the pan from the heat and add half the cheese. Stir the mixture until thickened and glossy. If too thick, add a splash of the pasta water. Season to taste.
• Divide between bowls and garnish with the remaining cheese.

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.).