Not Your Usual Four Cheese Pasta Food

PASTA AI QUATTRO FORMAGGI (CREAMY FOUR-CHEESE PASTA) RECIPE

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan, saucier, or other medium pot, combine cream with thyme, garlic, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan with a flexible spatula to prevent scorching, then remove from heat and let steep 5 minutes. Remove and discard garlic and thyme.
• Return infused cream to low heat and add Taleggio, whisking constantly until Taleggio is fully melted.
• Add grated Gruyère (or Fontina) and continue to whisk until fully melted and a smooth sauce forms. Whisk in Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in a pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Using a spider skimmer, transfer pasta to cheese sauce; alternatively, strain pasta in a colander, making sure to first reserve 1 cup (240ml) pasta-cooking water. Add 1/4 cup (60ml) pasta-cooking water to pasta and sauce and, working over medium-low heat, stir gently until pasta is coated in a creamy glaze. If sauce becomes too thick, add more pasta water, 1 tablespoon (15ml) at a time, to loosen to proper glazing consistency. Season with salt to taste.
• Remove from heat and stir in gorgonzola; it may completely melt into the sauce, but it's fine (arguably even desirable) if some pieces remain mostly intact.
• Serve right away, passing more grated Parmigiano-Reggiano at the table.

NOT YOUR USUAL FOUR CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Do ahead: Combine the tomatoes, basil, salt, and minced garlic. Let stand at room temperature for one to two hours, stirring occasionally.
• In another bowl, mix ricotta with the whipping cream and season with the nutmeg and pepper. Add the fontina and mozzarella cheeses. Let stand while cooking pasta.
• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. While the pasta cooks, drain most of the liquid from the tomato mixture above, leaving it just moist. When ready, drain pasta.
• In large bowl, add the hot pasta, the 2 tablespoons olive oil, and the cheese mixture. Toss till cheese melts. Spoon tomato mixture across the top but do not stir yet.
• At table, toss the pasta mixture and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese just before serving.

BAKED FOUR-CHEESE SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain well and spread the spaghetti on a baking sheet; let cool.
• In a large bowl, toss the fontina with the Gruyere and mozzarella. Spread half of the spaghetti in the prepared baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle half of the mixed cheeses and half of the Gorgonzola over the spaghetti and season with salt and pepper. Repeat with another layer of spaghetti, mixed cheeses, Gorgonzola and salt and pepper.
• Bake the spaghetti in the center of the oven until the top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares and serving.

PASTA WITH FOUR CHEESES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add noodles and cook until done about 6 to 7 minutes or according to package directions. Meanwhile, finely dice your cheddar and brie into 1/4-inch cubes. Combine the cheeses with the white wine and ricotta in the top of a double boiler or in a microwave proof container that is large enough to accommodate the cooked pasta. If you are using a double boiler, melt the cheese while the pasta is cooking, if you are using a microwave you can wait until the pasta is done. When the pasta is done, drain, pat dry, and toss it with the melted cheese. Or is you are using a microwave oven, heat the cheese for 1 minute. Whisk it vigorously and return it to the microwave for 20 seconds. Add the drained pasta to the melted cheese, right in the microwave dish, and toss. Season with lots of freshly ground pepper and scallion.