Baked Penne With Squash And Goat Cheese Food

BAKED PENNE WITH SQUASH AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• This recipe originated on Giada's Holiday Handbook. Episode: Giada's Holiday Challenge.
• Special equipment: a pasta spider
• For the topping: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix together the panko, olive oil and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
• For the pasta: Heat a large ovenproof braiser over medium heat. Melt the butter in the braiser and add the shallots, pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour and stir to cook out some of the raw flour taste, about 2 minutes. Slowly begin to add the milk, adding a small amount at a time and whisking after each addition, until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the goat cheese, 1 cup mozzarella and the squash. Season with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Season well with salt. Cook the pasta for about 6 minutes (it should still be very firm). Using a pasta spider, remove the pasta directly to the sauce but do not yet stir it in. Sprinkle the plain pasta with the Parmesan and stir to combine. Add the broccoli rabe to the pasta water and cook for 30 seconds. Use the pasta spider to drain well, then add to the pasta. Stir to evenly distribute. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and the panko mixture. Bake until bubbly all over, 20 to 25 minutes. Switch to the broiler and broil for 5 minutes to brown the top, if desired.

PENNE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the upper third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Spray a baking sheet, liberally, with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.
• Mix the squash and onion together and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake for to 40 to 45 minutes until the vegetables are golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
• While the squash mixture is cooling, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 2 cups of the pasta water. Put the pasta, goat cheese and 1 cup of pasta water in a large serving bowl. Toss until the cheese has melted and forms a creamy sauce. Add the squash and onion mixture, the walnuts and the basil. Toss well and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with Parmesan and serve.

ROASTED HERBED SQUASH WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Toss squashes with oil and seasonings. Transfer to 2 foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pans., Roast squash, stirring once, until soft and some pieces are caramelized, 30-35 minutes. Switch position of pans midway through roasting to ensure even doneness. If a darker color is desired, broil 3-4 in. from heat 2-4 minutes., Cool slightly. To serve, add goat cheese to squash; gently toss. Sprinkle with parsley; drizzle with maple syrup.

PENNE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND GOAT CHEESE (COURTESY GIADA D)

Steps:

• 1. Put an oven rack in the upper third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• 2. Spray a baking sheet liberally with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.
• 3. Mix the squash and onion together and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the vegetables are golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
• 4. While the squash mixture is cooling, bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add the pasta and some salt and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Put the pasta, goat cheese and 1 cup of pasta water in a large serving bowl. Toss until the cheese has melted and forms a creamy sauce. Add the squash and onion mixture, the walnuts and the basil. Toss well and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with Parmesan and serve.
• Note: To toast walnuts, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven until lightly toasted, approximately 6-8 minutes. Cool completely before using.

SAUSAGE PENNE WITH ZUCCHINI AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just al dente.
• While the water heats and the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and saute until cooked all the way through, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and put it on a plate.
• Put the onion and the garlic in the saute pan, and cook for a few minutes, until the onion is translucent.
• Add the zucchini and cook until lightly carmelized, about 5 more minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the sun-dried tomatoes, the stock, and the reserved sausage and keep warm until the pasta is ready.
• Drain the pasta and add it directly to the pan with the sausage and vegetables.
• Cook together for 30 seconds, turn off the heat, and sprinkle on the cheese just before serving.

PENNE WITH HERBED ZUCCHINI AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Fill a 4-quart kettle three-fourths full with salted water and bring water to a boil for pasta.
• Halve zucchini lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Thinly slice garlic lengthwise and finely chop herbs. Crumble goat cheese.
• In a heavy skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté zucchini, stirring, until browned and just tender. Stir in garlic and herbs and sauté, stirring, 1 minute.
• Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente and reserve 1 cup cooking water. Drain pasta in a colander and in a bowl toss with zucchini mixture, cheese, 1/4 cup reserved cooking water, and salt and pepper to taste, adding additional reserved cooking water if necessary.