Sausage Broccoli Ricotta Casserole Food

RACHAEL RAY'S PASTA WITH BROCCOLI AND SAUSAGE W/RICOTTA SURPRISE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
• Heads up, you will need to use about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking liquid for the sauce before you drain the pasta.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, salt, and a lot of freshly ground black pepper.
• Reserve the ricotta mixture on the countertop and let it come up to room temperature The flavors of the cheese and lemon will develop as the cheese warms up.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the EVOO.
• Add the sausage and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon into a small bite-size pieces.
• Really go at breaking the meat up; it will make a difference in the end.
• Cook the meat until brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• While the sausage is browning, prepare the broccoli.
• Cut the broccoli tops into small florets. Remove the fibrous outer layer of the stem (just square it off using your knife), then thinly slice the tender center portion of the stem.
• Once the sausage is brown, remove it to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Return the skillet to the heat and add all of the broccoli and the chopped onion. Spread the veggies out in an even layer in the pan, season with some salt and pepper, and let the broccoli brown up a bit before stirring, about 2 minutes.
• Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and continue to cook 2 minutes more.
• Add the sausage back to the skillet along with the chicken stock.
• Ladle in some cooking water from the pasta and bring up to a simmer.
• Cook until the broccoli is tender and the liquids have reduced slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice, parsley, and cooked, well-drained pasta.
• Toss to combine and simmer 1 last minute to allow the pasta to soak in the sauce and flavors.
• Turn the heat off, add the grated cheese, and toss to combine.
• To serve, place a large dollop of the pepper-lemon-ricotta mixture into each of 4 shallow bowls and bury it with the hot pasta.
• Once you are at the table, mix it up with a fork to distribute the ricotta cheese. Serve with extra grated cheese.

BAKED RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the topping: Add the ricotta, basil, and salt to a small bowl. Stir together with a rubber spatula. Set aside.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Season well with salt and cook the rigatoni for 5 minutes. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
• Meanwhile, heat a large braiser or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sausage to the pan. Cook, stirring often and breaking apart the meat with the back of a spoon, until beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Add the broccoli and garlic and cook to marry the flavors, about 3 minutes. Stir in the marinara and 1/4 teaspoon salt until fully combined. Add the pasta to the pan and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Toss well to coat. Add the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce slightly.
• Dollop the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the top. Nestle the ricotta mixture into the pasta and cover with some of the pasta. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS PASTA WITH BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat using a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a medium bowl. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, the broccoli, peppers and garlic to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until they soften and begin to brown, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain the pasta. Return the pasta and reserved cooking water to the pot over low heat. Add the broccoli mixture, cooked sausage and its accumulated juices, 1/2 cup Parmesan, the lemon juice and red-pepper flakes and stir vigorously until liquid is slightly thickened and saucy, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve the pasta with additional Parmesan for sprinkling on top.

SAUSAGE-BROCCOLI RICOTTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Butter an 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
• in a skillet cook the sausage meat with onions and garlic until the meat is browned; drain fat and place in a large bowl to cool slightly.
• To the bowl add in frozen thawed broccoli and 1 cup cheddar cheese; pour the mixture into prepared baking dish.
• in a bowl whisk eggs with 1/2 cup cheese, ricotta cheese, half and half cream, cayenne, seasoned salt and black pepper; pour over the broccoli in the baking dish.
• Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese (any amount desired) then arrange tomato slices on top.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• uncover and continue baking for 10-15 minutes more.
• Let satnd for 10 minutes before serving.

SAUSAGE BROCCOLI EGG CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Butter an 11 x 7-inch baking dish or a medium-size oval casserole dish.
• In a skillet cook the sausage meat with onions over medium-high heat, stirring until the sausage is browned; drain fat and transfer to a large bowl.
• Add in cooked broccoli and 3/4 cup shredded cheese; toss to combine, transfer and spread into bottom of prepared baking dish.
• In another bowl combine the eggs with 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, cayenne, ricotta cheese and milk, then season with salt and pepper; pour over the broccoli/sausage mixture.
• Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese (or you can use cheddar in place of the Parmesan) then arrange the tomato slices over the top.
• Bake covered for about 30 minutes; remove from oven and uncover.
• Bake for another 15 minutes.
• Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

PASTA WITH BROCCOLI AND SAUSAGE WITH A RICOTTA SURPRISE

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water with a tight-fitting lid over high heat and bring to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, add some salt and the pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Heads up: you will need to use about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking liquid for the sauce before you drain the pasta.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, salt, and a lot of freshly ground black pepper. Reserve the ricotta mixture on the countertop and let it come to room temp. The flavors of the cheese and lemon will develop as the cheese warms up.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the EVOO. Add the sausage and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon into small bite-size pieces. Really go at breaking the meat up; it will make a big difference in the end. Cook the meat until brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. While the sausage is browning, prepare the broccoli. Cut the broccoli tops into small florets. Remove the fibrous outer layer of the stem (just square it off using your knife), then thinly slice the tender center portion of the stem.
• Once the sausage is brown, remove it to a paper-towel-lined plate. Return the skillet to the heat and add all of the broccoli and the chopped onion. Spread the veggies out in an even layer in the pan, season with some salt and pepper, and let the broccoli brown up a bit before stirring, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and continue to cook 2 minutes more. Add the sausage back to the skillet along with the chicken stock. Ladle in some cooking water from the pasta and bring up to a simmer. Cook until the broccoli is tender and the liquids have reduced slightly, about 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice, parsley, and cooked, well-drained pasta. Toss to combine and simmer 1 last minute to allow the pasta to soak in the sauce and flavors. Turn the heat off, add the grated cheese, and toss to combine.
• To serve, place a large dollop of the pepper-lemon-ricotta mixture into each of 4 shallow bowls and bury it with hot pasta. Once you are at the table, mix it up with a fork to distribute the ricotta cheese. Serve with extra grated cheese.

SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI BAKE

Steps:

• Cook broccoli according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the broccoli, croutons and cheese. , Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, soup and milk. Pour over sausage mixture. , Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with French-fried onions. Bake for 3-5 minutes longer or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI MANICOTTI

Steps:

• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• Cook the manicotti shells until firm-tender (careful not to overcook, leave fairly firm) drain.
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta or cottage cheese (if using) broccoli, 1 cup of mozza cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, onion powder, salt, pepper and garlic powder; mix well to combine and set aside.
• In a skillet cook the crumbled sausage meat over medium heat until no longer pink; drain fat.
• Add in the pasta sauce and minced garlic (if using), cook over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes.
• Spread about 1-1/2 cups of the pasta/sausage mixture in the bottom of prepared baking dish.
• Stuff the manicotti shells with the broccoli mixture (careful not to overstuff as the shells will tear).
• Arrange the stuffed shells over the sauce.
• Top with remaining sauce.
• Then sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese, then top with remaining mozza cheese.
• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake the shells for about 40-50 minutes, or until heated through.
• Delicious!