Pasta Baked With Olives Vegetables And Mozzarella Food

BAKED PASTA WITH TOMATOES & MOZZARELLA (PASTA AL FORNO CON POMODORI E MOZZARELLA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400ºF/gas 6 and put a large pot of salted water on to boil. Heat a couple of lugs of extra virgin olive oil in an appropriately sized pan. Add your onion, garlic and chilli and slowly fry for about 10 minutes on a medium to low heat until softened but without any colour. If you're using fresh tomatoes, remove the core with the tip of a small knife, plunge them into the boiling water for about 40 seconds until their skin starts to come away, then remove with a slotted spoon or sieve and remove the pan from the heat.
• Put the tomatoes into a bowl and run cold water over them, then slide the skins off, squeeze out the seeds, and roughly chop. Add your fresh or canned tomatoes to the onion and garlic, with a small glass of water. Bring to the boil and simmer for around 20 minutes. Now put them through a food processor or blender to make a loose sauce. Tear your basil leaves into the sauce and correct the seasoning with salt, pepper and a little swig of red wine vinegar.
• When the sauce tastes perfect, bring the water back to the boil. Add the orecchiette to the water and cook according to the packet instructions, then drain and toss with half of the tomato sauce and a handful of Parmesan. Get yourself an appropriately sized baking pan or earthenware dish and rub it with a little olive oil. Layer a little pasta in the pan, followed by some tomato sauce, a handful of grated Parmesan and 1 sliced-up mozzarella ball, then repeat these layers until you've used all the ingredients, ending with a good layer of cheese on top. Pop it into the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden, crisp and bubbling. Italians seem happy to eat this dish at room temperature or quite cold, but I prefer to eat mine hot.

VEGETABLE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5.
• Put the peppers, aubergine, courgette and onion into a roasting tin or deep baking dish and coat in the oil. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 45 minutes, turning twice, until the vegetables are tender and golden brown.
• Add the cherry tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, garlic and basil and cook for 10-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to pack instructions. Add 4-6 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water to the vegetables to loosen the tomato sauce.
• Drain the pasta and stir into the roasted vegetables. Stir through the mozzarella and pesto, top with Parmesan and return to the oven for another 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted.

EASY VEGETABLE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have an oven-safe 12-inch deep skillet, you can cook the veggies and bake the pasta in it. If you do not, prepare a 3-quart baking dish by lightly greasing with olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and then cook the pasta. Check the package for cook time, but cook the pasta two minutes less than what is recommend on the box (it will continue to cook in the oven). Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Slice the onions and bell peppers into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Using a damp paper towel, brush all dirt from mushrooms. Cut away and discard any hard stems. Chop into 1/4-inch slices or, if there are larger mushrooms like portobello, cut into 1/4-inch cubes.
• Heat a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil then add the mushrooms, in one layer, and cook until browned on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir then add the onions and peppers. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes or until the veggies are starting to soften and have some browned edges. Season to taste with salt and black pepper (I usually add 1/4 teaspoon of each).
• Stir the fennel, marinara sauce, and basil into the vegetables. If your skillet is large enough, toss in the pasta and if the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. If the skillet is too small, combine the sauce and pasta in a bowl. Adjust with pasta water, and then add to a baking dish.
• Taste the pasta and adjust with more salt and pepper. Tuck spoonfuls of ricotta around the pasta, and then top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake the pasta, uncovered, until the cheese melts and is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.

BAKED PENNE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• On a baking sheet, toss the bell peppers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and onion with the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper, and the herbs. Bake until tender, about 15 -minutes.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure it is not completely cooked. Drain in a colander.
• In a large bowl, combine the pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, fontina, mozzarella, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, the peas, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Gently mix using a wooden spoon until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are -combined.
• Pour the pasta into a greased 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese and the butter pieces. Bake until the top is golden and the cheese melts, about 25 -minutes.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT AND BUFFALO MOZZARELLA PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 200°c and line a baking sheet with foil.
• Combine the butternut squash with the oil, honey, thyme and seasoning then transfer to the baking sheet. Spread the butternut out into a single layer then place in the oven.
• Allow to roast for 30 minutes or until the butternut is soft and starting to caramelise.
• Remove from the oven and set aside.
• In the meantime, melt the butter in a saucepan and whisk in the flour. Slowly whisk in the milk until it has all been absorbed, add the bay leaf then turn down the heat and allow to simmer, whilst stirring regularly, until the sauce is cooked through.
• Add the nutmeg and season to taste.
• Combine the cooked pasta and bechamel sauce, adding a little of that pasta's cooking water if the mixture seems too thick, then stir in the roasted butternut and chunks of mozzarella. Top with fresh thyme sprigs, if using.
• Transfer to a baking dish then place in the oven.
• Allow to bake for 10-15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling and the mozzarella has melted.
• Remove from the oven then allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

MOZZARELLA PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Cook turkey in large skillet until done.
• Stir in pasta sauce, macaroni and Parmesan. Spoon into 8-inch square baking dish.
• Bake 10 min. or until heated through. Top with mozzarella. Bake 3 to 4 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

VEGETABLE PASTA BAKE FOR KIDS

Steps:

• Cook pasta, once cooked drain and place in an oven proof dish - at this point the cooked pasta must only half fill the dish to allow for the rest of the ingredients
• Preheat oven 200'C/Gas mark 6
• Fry in a little olive oil (or oven roast for 10-15 minutes) all the chopped vegetables and herbs until soft
• Add the chopped tomato stir and cook for a few minutes to infuse the flavours
• Season if necessary
• Pour the vegetables over the pasta and gently mix well
• If the pasta mix is a little stiff, loosen by adding a drop of stock or water
• Top with slices of mozzarella and breadcrumbs and place in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes
• Serve this dish stiff, similar to a lasagne or loose and saucy like a pasta bolognese

PASTA BAKED WITH OLIVES, VEGETABLES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Lightly grease a shallow baking dish with olive oil.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, add the zucchini and cook over med-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini begin to brown; season with salt and peper.
• Set aside to cool.
• Cook the pasta al dente.
• Drain, rinse with cold water, drain again, then toss with the zucchini.
• Add the olives, tomatoes and half the cheeses to the pasta.
• Toss well and pour into the baking dish.
• Spread the remaining mozzarella on top, reserving the rest of the parmesan for garnish.
• Bake the pasta until the cheese is melted and the pasta is heated through (about 15-20 minutes).
• Serve with the remaining cheese.

VEGETABLE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C / 392 F Please note I use a fan assisted, electric oven. Please adjust according to the oven you have.
• In a large saute pan heat the oil over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.Once the onion is translucent and a little bit soft add the garlic, oregano and chilli flakes and cook for a minute.
• Pour in the tinned tomatoes, add 150ml of water to one of the empty tins, give it a little swirl to gather up any leftover tomato juice then add that to the pan.Stir in the tomato puree and balsamic vinegar if using. Finally add the bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper and leave the sauce to simmer over a reduced heat for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes add the courgette, pepper and sweetcorn to the sauce, stir well then leave to simmer for another 10 minutes. After 10 minutes add the basil then check the seasoning.
• Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions minus 2 minutes. You want the pasta to be slightly undercooked.
• Once cooked drain the pasta then tip it into a large casserole dish. Pour over the tomato and vegetable sauce and mix well.
• In a small bowl mix together the breadcrumbs and the vegetarian parmesan cheese.
• Evenly sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta, place the mozzarella over the cheddar. Finally, cover the pasta and cheese with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and the breadcrumbs are golden.Remove from the oven, leave to cool slightly then serve with a green salad and /or garlic bread.

PASTA SPIRALS WITH SAUTEED VEGETABLES, OLIVES AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add scallions and garlic and saute 1 minute. Add carrots and broccoli and saute 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Add 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper and stir to coat. Add broth, tomatoes, snow peas, and mushrooms and bring to a simmer. Pour sauce over cooked pasta and toss to combine. Top with olives and smoked mozzarella cheese just before serving.
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook 3 to 5 minutes, until tender. Stir in thyme and cook 1 minute to heat through. Season with salt and black pepper.

BAKED WHOLE WHEAT PASTA WITH SPINACH AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Almonds -- In a medium dry saute pan on medium high heat, add the almonds and cook a couple of minutes until they get golden brown. Keep an eye of them, they do not take long.
• Fresh Bread Crumbs -- If you are using dry bread crumbs, skip this step.
• Chop up the bread fairly fine. Then in that same saute pan you used to toast your almonds in, bring to medium high heat and add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Toss in the bread crumbs, seasoning and toast until golden brown. They only take 1-2 minutes and stir often.
• Pasta -- Cook the pasta according to package direction in salted boiling water. Drain well, return to the pot and toss with the olive oil and set to the side off the heat. As the pasta cooks, saute your vegetables.
• Vegetables -- Once again, use that same saute pan and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and heat to medium medium/high heat. Add the garlic, onion and little salt and pepper and saute 2-3 minutes, then toss in the spinach and saute just a few seconds until the spinach is slightly wilted. Don't cook more than just a few seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/2 of the lemon zest and 1 cup of the almonds. Add to the pasta along with the chicken broth. Check for seasoning, salt and pepper. Personally, I like to add some extra pepper.
• Bake -- In a 13x9 or similar size baking dish, sprayed with Pam or any non-stick spray, add the remaining lemon zest. Then add 1/2 of the pasta, 1/2 the cheese; then the rest of the pasta, and the rest of the cheese. Sprinkle with the almonds, and then top with the bread crumbs and cover with foil and bake in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes until the bread crumbs get golden brown.
• Serve -- ENJOY! I like to keep it a bit healthy and serve with a bowl of tomato soup and a baguette with melted cheese.

PASTA WITH FRESH VEGETABLES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil for the pasta. In a serving mixing bowl combine the tomatoes, scallions and mozzarella and set aside. Add fresh pasta to water and cook quickly just until al dente; drain and place in serving bowl. In a medium size skillet melt butter with olive oil. Add watercress and arugula and saute for a couple of minutes just to wilt. Add yellow bell pepper and saute a minute just to begin cooking and remove from heat. Add arugula mixture and toss the ingredients together with salt and pepper red flakes. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle fresh radish and cucumbers on top.

MAKE-AHEAD SPICY OLIVE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook spaghetti according to package directions for al dente. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, 6-8 minutes, breaking up beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in pasta sauce, olives, capers, anchovies, pepper flakes and seasoned salt; set aside., In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain spaghetti; add to egg mixture and toss to coat., Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish. Top with half of the cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet., Cover and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake until heated through, 20-25 minutes longer. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with basil, olives and capers.