Crispy Pasta Cake With Red Pepper And Mozzarella Salad Food

QUICK AND EASY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes (check the package for recommended cook time). Drain and rinse well under cold water.
• While the pasta cooks, in the bottom of a large bowl, make the dressing. Whisk the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, pepperoncini juice (if using), and the olive oil until blended. Add the drained and rinsed pasta to the dressing and mix well.
• Stir in the bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, scallions, pepperoncini (if using), olives, parmesan, mozzarella, and the herbs (if using). Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve or for the best results, cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 5 days.

CHIPOTLE MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain it, rinse under cool water and set aside in a large bowl.
• Combine the mayonnaise and milk in a medium bowl, then add 2 tablespoons vinegar and stir until smooth. Add the chipotles in adobo sauce and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Stir the dressing until combined. Give it a taste and add more vinegar if you'd like it to have a bit more bite. Add more adobo sauce if you'd like it to have a little more heat.
• Drizzle the dressing over the pasta, then throw in the tomatoes and cucumber and add the cheese. Stir the pasta around, then add the basil and stir until just combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with more basil.

PANCETTA AND PEPPER 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 of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil sprigs and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the basil and season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Cook the fusilli 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, red peppers, 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.

FRESH MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain well, and let cool.
• Mix the mozzarella cheese cubes, tomatoes, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt with olive oil in a salad bowl. Gently mix in the orzo pasta, and toss lightly to coat the ingredients with oil.

PASTA AND MOZZARELLA SALAD WITH RED-PEPPER DRESSING

Steps:

• cook pasta according to package directions; drain, rinse in cold water and set aside.
• pulse together red peppers, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and freshly ground pepper in a food processor until smooth; transfer to a large bowl.
• Stir in pasta, mozzarella and basil.
• Just before serving, stir in greens.