Creamy Baked Pasta Food

CREAMY SAUSAGE AND ESCAROLE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the oregano and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the oregano and stir in the ricotta. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up any clumps with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a large bowl using a slotted spoon. Add the escarole and a pinch of salt to the sausage drippings in the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally and reducing the heat slightly if necessary, until wilted, about 4 minutes. Transfer the escarole to the bowl with the sausage.
• Cook the farfalle in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the mixing bowl.
• Add the tomato sauce, half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.

CREAMY SPINACH AND PEPPERONI BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of the tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the ricotta and season with salt and pepper.
• While the sauce simmers, heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pepperoni and cook, stirring occasionally, until it just starts to crisp, about 4 minutes. Add the spinach and stir, breaking up the clumps, just to warm. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Cook the rigatoni in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl.
• Add the tomato sauce, half each of the Asiago and pecorino to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining Asiago and pecorino. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

CREAMY PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix all ingredients until well blended.
• Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish.
• Bake 25 min. or until heated through.

CREAMY BAKED FOUR-CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Topping-process bread and butter in a food processor fitted with the steel blade until coarsely ground, about six 1-second pulses.
• Transfer to a bowl and toss with the Parmesan cheese.
• Pasta-adjust an oven rack to the middle position; preheat oven to 500°.
• Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a Dutch oven over high heat.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta; cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
• Drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and toss with the oil; set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over med-low heat.
• Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in the cream; bring to a simmer and cook, whisking often, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
• Off the heat, add 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper; cover to keep warm.
• Combine the cheeses in a large bowl.
• Add the cooked pasta to the cheese.
• Pour the hot cream mixture over the pasta and cover immediately with foil or a large plate; let stand for 3 minutes.
• Uncover the bowl and stir with a rubber spatula, scraping the cheese from the bottom of the bowl, until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is thoroughly combined.
• Transfer the pasta a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Bake until the topping is golden brown, 5-10 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

CREAMY PARMESAN BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter; set aside.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain, transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
• Meanwhile, mix together the panko, oil, 1 cup of the Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and crispy, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pancetta to the bowl with the breadcrumb mixture and stir to combine.
• Heat the saucepan with the drippings over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook until smooth, about 2 minutes. Slowly add the milk and cream, whisking to avoid lumps, and bring to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and whisk in the peas, remaining 2 cups Parmesan, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Pour the sauce over the pasta and stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with additional Parmesan before serving.