Beans And Bacon Macaroni Food

PASTA E FAGIOLI (ITALIAN PASTA AND BEANS)

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat, warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and about 10 twists of black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are turning translucent, about 6 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, stir, and cook until the tomatoes are bubbling all over. Add the broth, water, bay leaves, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
• Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, and reducing the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Use a heat-safe measuring cup to transfer about 1 1/2 cups of the soup (avoiding the bay leaves) to a blender. Add about 3/4 cup of the drained beans. Securely fasten the lid and blend until completely smooth, being careful to avoid hot steam escaping from the lid. Pour the blended mixture back into the soup.
• Add the remaining beans, pasta, kale and parsley to the simmering soup. Continue cooking, stirring often to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, for about 20 minutes, or until the pasta and greens are pleasantly tender.
• Remove the pot from the heat, then remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Taste and season with more salt (I usually add another 1/4 teaspoon) and pepper until the flavors really sing. Garnish bowls of soup as desired, and serve.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day. Allow leftover soup to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Or, freeze leftover soup in individual portions and defrost as necessary.

ITALIAN PASTA AND BEANS (PASTA FAGGIOLI)

Steps:

• Cook pasta as box instructs, in boiling salted water.
• While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until hot.
• Add onion, carrot and celery and cook for 15 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add garlic and cook one minute more.
• Add beans, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and water and heat to boiling over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low-med heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes.
• Stir in drained pasta, cheese and parsley and cook until heated through.

PASTA SALAD WITH STEAK, BELL PEPPER, GREEN BEANS AND BACON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the steak, bell pepper, green beans and bacon to the bowl with the pasta.
• Make the dressing: Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, parmesan, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Pour over the pasta salad and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Chill for up to 3 hours.

BEAN AND MACARONI SOUP

Steps:

• Drain beans and reserve liquid, rinse beans.
• Heat oil in a 6-quart kettle; add mushrooms, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and saute for 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, sage, thyme, oregano, pepper, and bay leaf.
• Cover and cook over medium heat 20 minutes.
• Cook macaroni according to directions on package using unsalted water.
• Drain when cooked.
• Do not overcook.
• Combine reserved bean liquid with water to make 4 cups.
• Add liquid, beans, and cooked macaroni to vegetable mixture.
• Bring to a boil; cover and simmer until soup is throughly heated.
• Stir occasionally.

GREEN BEANS & BACON WITH PASTA

Steps:

• Cook and stir onions in dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat 5 min. or until onions are crisp-tender.
• Add beans and bacon; stir gently. Cook 8 to 10 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook noodles as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Drain noodles. Serve topped with bean mixture.

PASTA WITH THREE BEANS AND BACON

Steps:

• Sauté chopped bacon in heavy large pot over medium-high heat until fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Add onions, mushrooms, garlic and oregano and sauté until onions are soft, about 8 minutes. Add wine and bring to boil. Add beans and tomatoes with juices. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until liquid thickens and flavors blend, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Mix in pasta and 3/4 cup cheese and simmer 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer pasta to large bowl. Serve, passing remaining cheese.