Baked Pasta With Cheese Food

EASY DOUBLE CHEESE BAKED PENNE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in cooked pasta, salt, pepper and pasta sauce.
• In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg and 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Spoon half of pasta mixture (about 3 1/2 cups) into bottom of baking dish. Spoon ricotta mixture evenly over pasta mixture in baking dish. Top with remaining pasta mixture; sprinkle with remaining 1 1/4 cups cheese.
• Spray piece of foil large enough to cover baking dish with cooking spray. Cover baking dish with foil, sprayed side down. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.
• To Make Ahead: Wrap foil-covered casserole in double layer of plastic wrap; label and freeze up to 3 months. To thaw and bake: Thaw overnight or until completely thawed in refrigerator. Remove plastic. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until center is hot (165°F) and cheese is melted. To bake from freezer (no thawing): Heat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic. Bake 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until center is hot (165°F) and cheese is melted.

TOMATO, BASIL AND CHEESE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt the water. Add small shell pasta and cook the pasta to al dente doneness which means that the pasta will still have a bite to it or be a little chewy. The pasta will soak up more juice and keep on cooking after we drain it, so we need it to be a little under cooked. The shells will probably cook about 9 or 10 minutes.
• Preheat a deep, big skillet or a medium sauce pot over medium heat.
• Place garlic on the cutting board and place the flat of your knife on top of each clove. Carefully give the garlic a whack with the palm of your hand to separate the cloves from the skins. Throw out the skins and chop up the garlic. Remember to keep your fingers curled under and the edge of your sharp, chef's knife tilted slightly away from your body.
• Add extra-virgin olive oil to the pan by pouring a slow stream of it twice-around-the-pan. This will be about 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Do not let the oil pour out too fast. You are looking for a slow, steady stream. Add the garlic to the oil. To chop the onion, cut the ends off and cut the whole onion down the center. Wrap half and save it. Cut the other half into thin slices then twist the slices a quarter turn and chop them again. Hold the tip of knife on the cutting board and lift the back of the knife up and down over the onion to make the pieces really small. Add the chopped up onion to the garlic and oil. Cook, stirring a lot, 5 minutes until the onions are mushy and look cooked.
• Add the tomatoes to the onions and stir. When the tomatoes come to a bubble, reduce the heat under the sauce to low. Stir in basil pieces to wilt them. Season the sauce with salt and peppe, to your taste.
• Preheat your broiler to high and place a rack in the center of the oven.
• Drain pasta shells. Add them to a flameproof casserole dish. Add pesto sauce, 1 cup of ricotta cheese and a handful of grated Parmigiano, too. Stir carefully and coat the hot pasta with the pesto and cheeses. Pour the hot tomato and basil sauce over the pasta, as much as you like. You can always serve a little extra at the table, to pass around. Shred up some mozzarella cheese with a grater and scatter it over the pasta. Add a final sprinkle of Parmigiano to the mozzarella as well. Place the casserole under the broiler in the middle of oven, 10 to 12 inches from the heat. Let the cheese melt and bubble on top, 3 to 5 minutes.

BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or large frying pan, cook and stir ground beef until brown. Add garlic, tomato sauce, gravy, cream, Parmesan cheese, oregano and basil. Simmer for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain.
• Combine the cooked ziti and the sauce, and spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 30 minutes, until bubbly.

THREE CHEESE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain.
• Meanwhile, cook ground meat and onion in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until meat is browned. Stir in pasta sauce, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer the ingredients in the prepared baking dish as follows: half of the cooked pasta, all the provolone cheese, all the sour cream, half of the sauce mixture, remaining pasta, mozzarella cheese, and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

ITALIAN BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in generously salted water 3 minutes less than recommended on package. Drain.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Pour 2 cups of the marinara sauce into dish. Add half of cooked pasta; toss well. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Spoon half of the ricotta cheese in dollops over top. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers ending with mozzarella cheese. Cover lightly with foil, making sure foil is not resting on cheese.
• Bake 35 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until center is bubbly and thoroughly heated. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

BAKED PASTA WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CHEESE

Steps:

• To prepare the Bechamel sauce, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan on medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking or stirring constantly, until a smooth pasteis formed. Add the heated milk slowly, a cup at a time, continuing to whisk until the sauce begins to thicken. Add the mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and let the sauce thicken further on low heat. Remove from heat and cover.
• Saute the onions, garlic, and basil in oil. When the onions are translucent, add the cauliflower and saute for 5 minutes or more. Add the tomatoes and simmer until the cauliflower is tender.
• Cook the pasta al dente and then drain.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, the Sauteed vegetables, and the lemon juice. Mix in the Bechamel sauce. Put half of the pasta mixture in an oiled baking dish. Sprinkle on half of each of the cheeses. Add the rest of the pasta mixture and then the rest of the cheese. Top with seasoned bread crumbs and bake covered at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes and then uncovered for about 15 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top

TOMATO N CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. In a small saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, basil, oregano, sugar and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Drain pasta; stir into saucepan., Transfer to a greased 1-qt. baking dish. Top with cheeses. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

BAKED VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Spread all the vegetables on a baking tray. Drizzle olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss and bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees Celcius for 15-18 minutes.
• While the vegetables are getting baked, boil salted water in a large pot. Add pasta. Since the pasta will also be baked later, take out 1-2 minutes before it's completely cooked
• In a large bowl mix pasta, vegetables, Italian herbs, marinara sauce, and 1 cup of cheese. Toss well.
• Spread this mixture on a baking dish. Spread the remaining cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes at 200 degrees Celcius or until the cheese top gets golden brown patches.

ONE-PAN BAKED CREAM CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Combine tomatoes, garlic, dry seasonings and 2 Tbsp. dressing in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
• Place block of cream cheese in center of tomato mixture.
• Bake 30 to 35 min. or until tomatoes are tender, stirring after 20 min.
• Add pasta, boiling water and remaining dressing to ingredients in baking dish. Use back of spatula to gently press pasta into boiling water so most the pasta is covered with water. Cover with foil.
• Bake 20 min. Remove baking dish from oven. Stir ingredients in baking dish; cover. Let stand 5 min.
• Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

BAKED PASTA WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200° Celsius.
• Boil a large pot of water and add the pasta with a teaspoon of salt.
• Cook half way only, it should be at almost "all dente" not more.
• Drain the pasta and set aside.
• Meanwhile add the olive oil and the butter in a large saucepan. Melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted add the flour and cook while whisking for about 3 minutes.
• Take the pan off the heat temporarily and gradually stir in one-third of the milk. Return to the heat and simmer, stirring, until all the milk is absorbed.
• Repeat this process, stirring all the time, allowing the sauce to become thick and shiny before adding more milk.
• When all the milk is added bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes and season with all the spices listed in the ingredients.
• When the milk has gained some texture close the heat and add half of the grated cheese. Mix until well combined and melted.
• Pour the pasta into a baking dish and on top pour the milky mixture. Mix well until well blended.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheese and place in the middle rack of the already heated oven. Cook until crispy and golden on the top, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

BAKED PESTO PASTA WITH TOMATO & CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
• Preheat your pot for the tomato sauce over medium heat.
• Add olive oil, then garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes.
• Next add the diced onion, crushed red pepper, bay leaf, and saute for about 5 minutes, or until onion soft and fragrant.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and stir well.
• When tomatoes begin to boil, reduce heat to low, add fresh basil leaves, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Let sauce simmer while you make your pesto (if not using store bought).
• Preheat broiler.
• Add pasta to boiling water and cook until just barely al dente.
• Drain pasta, and toss with 1 cup of your pesto sauce, 1/2 cup parmesan, and 1 cup of the ricotta cheese, be sure to blend well.
• Add pasta to a casserole dish.
• Top with the tomato basil sauce.
• You don't need to use all of the sauce, but rather serve the extra on the side.
• Top casserole with shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Place under broiler for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
• **Note:Casserole can be assembled ahead of time, covered with foil, and then reheated in a 350 degree oven until heated through.
• Remove foil for last 5-10 minutes in order to melt cheese.

EASY CHEESY PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.Cook pasta to packet instructions. Meanwhile, prepare the cheese sauce.
• Melt butter in a pan, add the flour stir for 2 mins until smooth.
• Gradually add milk 100ml( ½ cup) at a time whisking until smooth before adding the next 100 ml.Once all milk added, bring to boil then lower to simmer. Add salt & pepper and stir for 5 minutes.
• Turn heat off and add grated cheese stir through until melted.
• Drain & add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stir through.
• Top with more grated cheese. Pop in the oven for 20 minutes, until cheese has melted and is just starting to turn golden.

CHEESY PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven 375°F.
• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, brown ground beef with vegetables in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Add sauce, bacon and seasoning; mix well. Simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Drain pasta. Add to sauce; mix well. Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with cheese.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until heated through.

BAKED FOUR-CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Butter a 13x9 inch baking dish.
• Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil; add in the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (10-12 minutes).
• Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water.
• Drain pasta again very well; place pasta in a large bowl.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the milk to a boil; remove from heat.
• In another medium saucepan, melt the 8 tablespoons butter over med-high heat; lower heat to low and whisk in the flour, cooking for 3-4 minutes (be careful not to brown the mixture).
• Slowly add in the hot milk, whisking constantly.
• Add in the salt and cayenne; increase heat to medium, and simmer, stirring constantly until the mixture has thickened (8-10 minutes.).
• Remove pan from heat and add 1 cup each of the grated cheddar, asiago, and fontina cheese, whisking until the cheeses are melted.
• Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta; toss to coat the past evenly.
• Place half of the coated pasta in the baking dish; evenly sprinkle the remaining cheeses over the top.
• Cover with the remaining pasta.
• In a bowl, toss the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and melted butter together.
• Pour the heavy cream over the pasta; evenly distribute the breadcrumb mixture over the top.
• Bake on the middle oven rack for 30-35 minutes or until top is light brown and mixture is bubbling.

BAKED PASTA WITH LOBSTER (ITALIAN STYLE LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions minus 2 minutes.
• Drain the pasta well.
• In a heavy saucepan, heat the butter until frothy, and then the onion and cook until soft.
• Add the flour, whisking well, cooking for another couple of minutes.
• Slowly add the milk to the butter mixture, whisking continually.
• Cook over medium heat until thickened, whisking often.
• Add the cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and stir often over low heat until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Add the drained pasta and lobster to the sauce and mix well.
• Pour the pasta mixture into a buttered casserole dish large enough to hold it.
• Mix together the topping ingredients, and sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top of the pasta.
• Bake the pasta for 30 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly and hot and lightly golden brown on top.
• Cool 5 minutes, then serve in individual bowls.

CHEESY BAKED PASTA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Cook pasta to al dente according to pasta package instructions. Drain and let cool.
• Heat about 2 tsp of olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots and cook until shallots have started to soften. Stir often to prevent garlic from burning. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned. As sausage cooks, break into small pieces. Once sausage is cooked, drain off any excess fat (oil).
• Add entire can of crushed tomatoes, including any juice. Add tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Sample sauce and add additional salt or pepper to taste. Let sauce cool for about 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, add cooled pasta, cooled meat sauce, cottage cheese and mozzarella cubes. Toss to combine. Place tossed pasta in casserole dish, or any oven-safe serving ware. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
• Bake for 20 minutes until cheese on top is melted. Set oven to broiler and allow cheese to brown for 30-45 seconds. Remove from oven and let dish stand for 5-8 minutes before serving.

CHEESY PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas 5.
• In a medium saucepan cook the pasta according to pack instructions, drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and set aside.
• Melt the butter over a low heat in the large saucepan. Once the butter it melted, add the flour and stir with the wooden spoon to form a sort of paste. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
• Gradually stir in the milk, approximately 100ml at a time, stirring out any lumps from the mixture.
• Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, then add the next bit of milk. When the sauce is ready, in around 10-15 minutes, it will be fairly thick, smooth and steaming. Don't allow it to boil (Hint! You may want to gradually increase the heat from low to medium-low as you add more milk)
• Remove the sauce from heat and stir in 250g of the cheese, mixing well until the cheese has melted.
• Transfer the pasta into the ovenproof dish, pour the cheese sauce over it and stir the mixture around, making sure that all of the pasta is covered in sauce.
• Sprinkle the mixture first with breadcrumbs, then with the remaining cheese, finally adding a dash of dried chives (optional).
• Bake for approximately 30 minutes until the cheese is browned and bubbling. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

VEGETARIAN OVEN-BAKED PASTA WITH RICOTTA CHEESE AND SPINACH

Steps:

• In a large skillet, sauté onions in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes or until translucent. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, and salt and pepper to heat. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Evenly sprinkle breadcrumbs on top then drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Serve and enjoy!

BAKED CREAM CHEESE PASTA WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425˚F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions.
• 2 minutes before the pasta is done, drop in the shrimp and cook until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
• Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain out the rest.
• In the meantime place cream cheese in the middle of a large baking dish.
• Add tomatoes and garlic around the block of cream cheese.
• Sprinkle oregano and thyme all over, then drizzle with oil.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cream cheese is soft, and tomatoes have started to burst.
• Remove from oven and stir until cheese is smooth and everything is well combined.
• Add cooked pasta and shrimp to the cheesy sauce and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water; stir to combine.
• Add more pasta water, if needed, to thin out the sauce.
• Season with salt and pepper; taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
• Serve.

EASY VEGETABLE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have an oven-safe 12-inch deep skillet, you can cook the veggies and bake the pasta in it. If you do not, prepare a 3-quart baking dish by lightly greasing with olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and then cook the pasta. Check the package for cook time, but cook the pasta two minutes less than what is recommend on the box (it will continue to cook in the oven). Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Slice the onions and bell peppers into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Using a damp paper towel, brush all dirt from mushrooms. Cut away and discard any hard stems. Chop into 1/4-inch slices or, if there are larger mushrooms like portobello, cut into 1/4-inch cubes.
• Heat a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil then add the mushrooms, in one layer, and cook until browned on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir then add the onions and peppers. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes or until the veggies are starting to soften and have some browned edges. Season to taste with salt and black pepper (I usually add 1/4 teaspoon of each).
• Stir the fennel, marinara sauce, and basil into the vegetables. If your skillet is large enough, toss in the pasta and if the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. If the skillet is too small, combine the sauce and pasta in a bowl. Adjust with pasta water, and then add to a baking dish.
• Taste the pasta and adjust with more salt and pepper. Tuck spoonfuls of ricotta around the pasta, and then top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake the pasta, uncovered, until the cheese melts and is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.

CREAMY CHEESY BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Pre heat oven to 350° (180°).
• In a large oven proof pan or 10 inch skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and ground beef, brown, then add tomato puree, salt, basil, oregano, garlic and water stir to combine, add basil leaves and cook on medium heat, half covered until thickened (approximately 20-25 minutes).
• While sauce is cooking. In a large pot of boiling salted water cook pasta al dente, (firm when you bite it) drain.
• When sauce has thickened, add drained pasta and mix well to combine. Drizzle 1/2 cup of white sauce** and top first with diced mozzarella and then parmesan cheese. Bake for approximately 20 -25 minutes in a preheated 350° (180°) oven. Top with extra Parmesan if desired. Enjoy!
• Either homemade White Sauce or a good store bought if you prefer.