Triple Cheese Tortellini And Bacon Stuffed Squash Food

CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH SQUASH

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet on the middle oven rack and preheat to 450˚ F. Toss the squash, mushrooms, olive oil and a big pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread out on the hot baking sheet and roast, tossing once or twice, until the vegetables are browned around the edges and tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Combine the heavy cream, garlic, sage and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by about one-third, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice; add more lemon juice to taste.
• Add the tortellini to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain (reserve the pot).
• Strain the cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the reserved pot. Add the tortellini and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water; toss over medium heat until coated, adding a few more tablespoons cooking water as needed to loosen.
• Divide the roasted vegetables among shallow bowls. Spoon the tortellini and sauce on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan and chives.

CHEESY STUFFED SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Boil the squash 10 minutes until softened.
• When cooled enough to handle, remove the stems and cut in half lengthwise.
• Remove the pulp.
• Cook the bacon until crisp.
• Saute the onion in 2T bacon drippings.
• Add crumbled bacon, breadcrumbs and squash pulp.
• Fill the squash shells.
• Top each shell with cheese.
• Broil until melted.
• Sprinkle with paprika.

BACON TORTELLINI BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook tortellini according to package directions, adding broccoli during the last 2 minutes; drain., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 1 tablespoon in pan., Reduce heat to medium-low. Add garlic to drippings in pan; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in flour, basil, salt and pepper until blended; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat., Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Add tortellini mixture and bacon; toss to combine. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until heated through and broccoli is tender. Freeze option: Sprinkle remaining cheeses over unbaked casserole. Cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH STUFFED AND CHEESE TORTELLINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Split the squash in half (cut lengthwise from top end to bottom end) cutting right through the stem so each half has a piece of stem attached. Scrape out the seeds with a spoon and discard. Cut a small piece off the rounded bottom to give it a base to sit on. Place the squash halves, cut sides up, on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until tender.
• Meanwhile, prepare the tortellini mix. Heat a large pot of salted water to cook the tortellini inches In a separate saucepan heat the heavy cream over medium heat with garlic and thyme and reduce until thick and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Add the nutmeg and parmesan, then melt over low heat. Cook the tortellini in the boiling water (3-4 minutes for fresh tortellini, or follow directions of brand) and then strain and toss into cream mixture. Use some of the pasta water to thin out sauce if necessary. Season with salt and pepper and then divide amongst cooked squash cups.
• Turn the oven up to 400°F.
• Sprinkle the tops of squash bowls with grated parmesan and a fresh sage leave and then bake in the oven for a further 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.