Ziti With Chard Food

BAKED RIGATONI WITH SWISS CHARD AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into pieces, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion and chard stems; cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
• Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Add the chard leaves and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the pasta and 1/4 cup reserved cooking water to the sauce and stir to coat, adding more cooking water as needed to loosen; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta on top, then sprinkle with the mozzarella. Broil until golden brown and bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parmesan.

BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. Drain off almost all of the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. Stir, bring to a simmer and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove 3 to 4 cups of the cooked sauce to a bowl to cool down.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt. Cook the ziti until not quite al dente.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a bowl, mix 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs and some salt and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).
• Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). Add the cooled reserved meat sauce and toss to combine.
• Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta and the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
• Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before sprinkling with chopped parsley to serve.

ZITI WITH SKILLET-ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add onion and all vegetables except beet greens; sauté until vegetables begin to soften and brown, 8 to 9 minutes. Add rosemary; stir 1 minute. Add 1 cup broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover skillet and cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Return pasta to pot.
• Stir beet greens and butter into vegetables; add to pasta. Stir in 1 cup Parmesan and more vegetable broth by 1/3 cupfuls to moisten. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with remaining Parmesan.

BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and sauté until sausage is cooked through, breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices to pan. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in pesto. Season sauce with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly oil 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish. Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl. Stir in hot tomato sauce. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over. Bake until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt, about 30 minutes.