Mean Woman Pasta Food

MEAN GREEN PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• For the pureed greens: Meanwhile, add the spinach, arugula, basil, mint, parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and garlic to a food processor. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil and puree. Stop before the mixture is completely smooth; you want a bit of texture. Set aside.
• For the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and mustard powder, whisking to combine. Cook, whisking constantly, for a minute or so. Pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Cook the sauce until thick and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the half-and-half, salt and pepper. Add the Cheddar, fontina and Monterey Jack. Stir until the cheese all melts.
• For the assembly: Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
• Combine the melted butter, breadcrumbs and parsley in a small bowl.
• Add the cooked penne to the cheese sauce, making sure every noodle is covered in sauce. Next, stir in the pureed greens until barely combined. Pour the pasta mixture into the buttered baking pan and top evenly with the breadcrumbs. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• If you are serving later, top the assembled casserole with aluminum foil and pop in the freezer. When you are ready to serve, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight and bake the following day at 350 degrees F until golden brown and cooked through, about 1 hour covered and an additional 15 minutes uncovered.

STEAK AND CREAMED GREENS PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the butter, along with the olive oil. Sprinkle the steaks all over with salt and pepper. When the butter has melted and the oil is hot, place the steaks in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove the steaks to a cutting board to rest.
• Add the onion, garlic, tomato paste and red pepper flakes to the skillet, then quickly stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and allow to reduce for 30 to 60 seconds, then add the cream. Stir, then add the collards, kale and spinach. Stir and allow the greens to wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the pasta, reserved pasta water and cheese. Toss until everything is coated and the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Slice the steak and shingle the slices over the pasta. Drizzle over the steak sauce and sprinkle over the curly parsley. Serve straight from the skillet.