Spaghetti Pasto Abbondante Food

PASTA WITH MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. When hot, add the meat and cook, without stirring, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon, then add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the crushed tomatoes and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened and the flavors come together, about 1 hour.
• About 20 minutes before the sauce is done, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt liberally. Drop in the pasta, give it a stir and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Remove from the heat, toss in the cheese and serve.

ANTIPASTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of generously salted water to boil and cook the fusilli per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Whisk together the oil, vinegar, oregano, honey, 2 tablespoons Parmesan and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the warm pasta, then toss to coat and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Add the artichokes, red peppers, olives, mozzarella and salami and toss well to combine. Sprinkle with fresh basil.

PASTA AL LIMONE

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil-use an amount of water so that the pasta is more crowded in the water than it typically would be (see photo in blog post above). Cook the noodles until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
• When the pasta is nearly done cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. If the garlic is done cooking before the pasta is ready, remove the pan from the heat so the garlic doesn't burn.
• IMMEDIATELY (as soon as the pasta is drained) add the hot pasta to the skillet with the garlic. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Increase the heat to medium-high, then with a pair of tongs, toss to coat. Continue cooking and tossing constantly, until the sauce turns shiny and coats the noodles-it will take a minute or so. The pasta will be coated in a shiny, silky sauce. If the pasta becomes too tight at any point, splash in a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water (add the water slowly so that the pasta doesn't become watery).
• Zest the lemon over the top. Cut the lemon into quarters, then squeeze in the lemon juice. Sprinkle on the Parmesan. Toss again to combine. The cheese might be a bit clumpy at first, but just keep tossing, adding the tiniest splashes of pasta water only as needed. Add a good pinch of salt and several generous grinds of black pepper. Toss again. Taste and add more salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to serving plates and top each serving with a sprinkle of extra Parm and a bit more black pepper. Enjoy hot.

CREAMY AVOCADO PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse pepitas and garlic until finely chopped. Halve avocado, discard the pit and scoop out flesh. (You should have about 3/4 cup, or 5 ounces.) Add avocado flesh, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to food processor and pulse until chunky.
• Add cheese and basil to food processor. With motor running, drizzle in 1/2 cup water, then drizzle in oil until well blended, scraping down sides as needed. Transfer 2 cups of pesto to a large bowl. Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.
• Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. Add pasta and pasta water to pesto in large bowl and toss until pasta is nicely coated in sauce.
• Divide pasta among 4 bowls. Top with more pepitas, cheese and basil.

SPAGHETTI PASTO ABBONDANTE

Steps:

• In large pot brown sausage first, if using.
• Add ground beef, onions, garlic, mushrooms, spices, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook until meat is thoroughly browned.
• Add tomatoes and water.
• Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 15 minutes, stirring after each 5 minutes to prevent sticking.
• Raise heat to high, add Ragu, and return to boiling.
• Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your time frame.
• Serve over hot pasta with garden salad and breadsticks.
• The longer it cooks, the richer the flavor.
• However, it is delicious and ready to eat after the Ragu has reached boiling.
• Using the Italian sausage makes a huge difference in the flavor, giving it a more robust aroma and flavor.