Mostaccioli With Roasted Tomato And Garlic Cooking For 2 Food

THE BEST BAKED MOSTACCIOLI

Steps:

• Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, a good pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage; cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until crumbled, golden brown and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper; cook, stirring, until the garlic is tender and the tomato paste is thoroughly combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, parsley sprigs and 1/4 cup water and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then cover partially with a lid and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, stir together the ricotta, 1/4 cup of the Pecorino Romano, the egg, remaining 1/4 teaspoon oregano, pinch of salt and a couple grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl until smooth and combined; set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Once the meat sauce is finished cooking, remove the parsley sprigs and discard. Stir in the al dente mostaccioli until well coated.
• Transfer half of the pasta and sauce to the prepared baking dish, then spread the ricotta mixture on top in an even layer with a rubber spatula or small offset spatula. Top with the remaining pasta and sauce, followed by the mozzarella, then the remaining 3 tablespoons Pecorino Romano.
• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake until heated through, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is bubbling at the edges, 10 to 15 minutes more. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

MOSTACCIOLI (BAKED PASTA WITH CREAMY SAUCE & ITALIAN SAUSAG

Steps:

• Cook both boxes of noodles until they are semi done.
• Drain and set aside, but do not rinse.
• Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a saucepot.
• Add minced garlic (more or less if desired).
• Slowly add heavy whipping cream to melted butter and garlic mixture.
• Bring sauce to a slow simmer, then add 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese.
• Stir until melted.
• Let sauce simmer on low.
• Break into pieces and brown Italian sausage.
• Add 2 thinly sliced peppers to meat mixture.
• When both are fully cooked, dump them into the sauce.
• Saute sliced mushrooms in 1 Tbsp butter seasoned with salt and pepper.
• When cooked, add to sauce.
• Place tomatoes in a food processor and process until blended with chunks.
• Add fresh basil to taste (don't be stingy - a lot is better).
• Add diced garlic to taste.
• Add olive oil.
• Don't be afraid to start small and add more basil, garlic and oil as you go.
• This tomato mixture can be made a day early; let set in refrigerator overnight.
• Add this dish to the sauce.
• Bring the huge pot to a boil, let it simmer just a minute or two.
• Take the penne noodles and divide them into the two 9x13-inch pans, spreading them out evenly.
• Divide sauce into each pan filled with the noodles and mix it with the noodles.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top of both pans.
• Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

ROASTED TOMATO AND GARLIC PENNE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Start your water for the pasta. Add salt to your boiling water just before adding the pasta. Cook as directions on the box imply. However, if you are going to turn this into a casserole, don't cook pasta fully.
• Wash and dry grape tomatoes. Place them on a cookie sheet. Peel garlic and place whole on same cookie sheet. Drizzel the olive oil over all, making sure all ingredients are covered. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• Roast in the oven until the tomatoes have burst open and the garlic is soft.
• Drain pasta and set aside in large bowl.
• Once tomatoes and garlic are done pull the cookie sheet out (leave oven on if your going to make the casserole) and using a potato masher, smash the tomatoes and garlic, making a sauce. Pour over pasta and stir. Add 1/2 the cheese and mix inches Using the other half on top along with chopped basil for garnish.
• If your making a casserole. Pour the pasta, tomatoe and garlic mixture, 1/2 cheese into a baking dish. Cover the top with remaining cheese and bake until golden and bubbly. Use basil when serving for garnish.
• Serve with a green salad and crusty bread.

ROASTED GARLIC AND TOMATO MOSTACCIOLI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F. Place aluminum foil on cookie sheet; generously brush with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Arrange tomato halves, cut sides up, in single layer on foil; brush with 2 teaspoons of the oil. Sprinkile with sugar, salt and pepper.
• Cut 1/2 inch off top of garlic bulb; drizzle 1 teaspoon of the oil over garlic bulb. Wrap in aluminum foil; place on cookie sheet with tomatoes. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until garlic is soft when pierced with a knife and tomatoes have begun to shrivel; cool slightly.
• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• Squeeze garlic into remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and mash until smooth; toss with pasta. Add tomato halves and basil; toss. Top with cheese. Serve immediately.