Cavatappi With Sausage Kale And Mushrooms Food

FUSILLI WITH SAUSAGE AND OYSTER MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Bring a shallow pot of water to a boil and season heavily with salt. Add the pasta to the water and begin to cook.
• Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, heat half of the olive oil over medium heat along with the sausage and cook, breaking apart the meat into smaller pieces, until browned. Add the garlic, pepperoncini and tomato paste. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened, 4 to 6 minutes longer.
• Using a spider or slotted spoon, strain the pasta directly into the mushroom mixture. Add about 1/2 cup pasta water and the white wine and bring to a simmer. When the pasta begins to get coated and the sauce begins to thicken, add the Parmesan, butter and rosemary and turn off the heat. Stir the mixture until thickened. If too thick, add a splash of pasta water. Season to taste. Divide among bowls and garnish with Pecorino-Romano and torn basil leaves.

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.

CAVATAPPI WITH SAUSAGE & KALE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook shallot & garlic a couple minutes, stirring well so that garlic doesn't burn. Add sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot, bring salted cooking water to a boil, then cook pasta uncovered until al dente.
• While pasta cooks, add kale and 1/4 cup water to sausage in skillet and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until the kale is tender and wilting. Drain off a couple tablespoons of tomato purée from the can, then add entire can of tomatoes, breaking up w/ back of spoon so the tomatoes are in large chunky pieces. Simmer for a few minutes. Add a few swirls of half & half and stir into sauce. Add pasta to skillet, tossing until well-combined. Season with salt & pepper and top with grated parmesan.