Archive forJuly, 2007

Baked Pasta With Chicken And Roasted Red Peppers

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. mushrooms, chopped
1/2 lb. red peppers, roasted and chopped
1/2 c. carrots, sliced
1 1/4 tsp. garlic, minced
1 chicken, cooked, picked, and cut into bite size pieces
1 c. white wine
Pepper to taste
1/2 c. sherry
3 c. milk
2 oz. Prosciutto, shredded (may substitute with dried chipped beef)
1 (8 oz.) box lasagna noodles, cooked according to pkg. directions
7 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 c. onion, chopped
1/3 c. celery, chopped
1/2 tsp. rosemary, crumbled
2 tsp. salt
1 c. chicken broth
6 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter; saute mushrooms. Remove from heat and add to red peppers. Set aside.

In another skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter; saute onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Season with rosemary. Add chicken and 1/2 cup wine. Increase heat to medium high and reduce wine, stirring often. Season with 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a saucepan, melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour. Whisk in milk and let the sauce come just to a boil. Reduce to low heat and simmer until thickened. Stir in reserved broth mixture and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Add remaining 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Stir until thickened.

In a 9 x 13 inch greased baking dish, spread a small amount of thickened white sauce. Arrange a layer of noodle on top. Layer half of the chicken mixture, half of the shredded Prosciutto, half of the mushroom mixture, 1 cup of the white sauce, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1/3 cup Mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers and top with noodles, remaining sauce, and cheeses.

Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated 400 degree oven. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

This dish may be assembled one day in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake.

Comments (1)

Baked Pasta

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. chopped tomatoes
1/4 c. Romano cheese
1/4 c. shredded fontina
1/4 lb. mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp. ricotta cheese (if handy)
1/2 lb. Penne rigate
2 tbsp. butter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

2. Bring water to boil for penne.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the penne and butter. Stir well to combine.

4. Drop the penne into the boiling water and parboil for 4 minutes. Drain in a colander and add to the ingredients in a mixing bowl, tossing to combine.

5. Divide the pasta mixture among a few individual shallow dishes or 1 large shallow dish. Dot with the butter and bake until bubbly and brown on top, 7-10 minutes.

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Quick Bake Pasta Shells And Cheese

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. sm. shell pasta, cooked as directed
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese, divided
2 oz. ham, cut into chunks or strips
1/2 c. scallions

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In small saucepan melt butter over medium heat and add flour. Cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add milk and cook, stirring until thickened. Add 1 cup of cheese. Combine cheese sauce with cooked shells, 1 cup of cheese, ham, and scallion. Place in casserole dish. Top with extra cheese. Bake until browned and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Serves 2-4.

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Chicken And Pasta Bake

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. chopped onion
1 c. sliced fresh mushrooms
1 c. sliced zucchini
1/2 c. chopped celery
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tbsp. butter, melted
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can whole tomatoes, drained & chopped
1 tsp. dried whole basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
8 oz. shell macaroni, uncooked
3 c. chopped cooked chicken
1 1/2 c. whipping cream
2 c. (8 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Saute first 5 ingredients in butter until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes, basil, salt and crushed red pepper; set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Combine pasta, vegetable mixture and chicken in a large bowl; spoon mixture into an 11 x 7 x 1 1/2 inch baking dish. Combine whipping cream and cheeses in a medium saucepan; cook over low heat until cheese melts, stirring frequently. Pour sauce over pasta mixture.

To store: Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. To serve: Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Yield: 6-8 servings.

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Baked Pasta Shells

INGREDIENTS:

12 jumbo shells (4 oz.)
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. thin strips of green pepper
1 tsp. instant chicken bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (16 oz.) oz can tomatoes, cut up
1/2 of 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 recipe chicken filling
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

In medium saucepan combine onion, pepper, bouillon granules, thyme, garlic, and 3 tablespoons water. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in undrained tomatoes and tomato paste. Remove from heat. Set aside 1/3 cup tomato mixture for filling. Spray 12 x 7 x 2 inch baking dish with non-stick coating. Stuff pasta with chicken filling using about 2 1/2 tablespoons per shell. Placed filled pasta in dish. Pour remaining tomato mixture on top. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese bake 5 more minutes.

CHICKEN FILLING:

1 1/2 c. diced cooked chicken
1/4 tsp. paprika
4 oz. mushrooms
1/8 tsp. pepper

Stir together with 1/3 cup of tomato sauce.

Comments

Quick-Baked Pasta

INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. lean coarse ground beef
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
3/4 c. spaghetti sauce
3/4 c. brown gravy (homemade or canned)
1/2 c. half and half
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
3/4 lb. sm. rigatoni

TOPPING:

1 c. Mozzarella or Swiss cheese, coarsely grated

Bring 4 quarts of water to boil. Heat a large frying pan and add the oil, beef, and garlic. Saute until meat is tender and then drain excess fat. Add all remaining ingredients except the cheese for topping and the pasta. Simmer the mixture while the pasta cook until just barely tender.

Drain the pasta and mix it with the sauce. Pour all into a 3 quart glass rectangular baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until all is bubbly hot. Serves 6.

Comments

Mexican Pasta Bake

INGREDIENTS:

1 med. onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1 tbsp. chili powder
1 qt. undrained canned tomatoes
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 c. uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni
1 1/2 c. corn kernels
3 c. cooked pinto beans
1/3 c. sliced olives
1 c. (5) broken corn tortillas
1 c. sliced Lifetime cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Saute onion and garlic for 3 minutes to soften. Add cayenne and chili powder and cook briefly. Add tomatoes, oregano, and cumin; bring to a boil. Add pasta and corn and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes until pasta is just tender. Stir in beans and olives. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Transfer bean mixture to a shallow 2 quart casserole. Bake for 10 minutes to melt cheese. If casserole is assembled in advance of baking and chilled, increase baking time to approximately 20 minutes or until heated through. Serves 6.

Comments

Baked Eggplant And Pasta

INGREDIENTS:

3 med. eggplants, approx. 2 1/2 - 3 lbs.
1 tbsp. salt
1 tsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. rigatoni, penne or some other short, stout pasta
1 1/2 c. tomato sauce
2 tbsp. chopped basil
10 almonds, blanched, peeled & chopped
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan
Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 lb. caciocavallo or sharp provolone cheese, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS:

Peel the eggplants, slice lengthwise approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, sprinkle all over with salt and place in a colander to drain for 30 minutes.

Rinse all the salt off the eggplant slices, pat them dry between paper towels and broil them until browned on both sides.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Generously oil a 9? square baking dish.

Cut the eggplants into pieces roughly the size of the pasta you intend to use and set aside.

Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rapid boil, stir in the pasta and cook until almost al dente. The pasta should be under done. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Combine the tomato sauce with the basil. Add to the pasta half the eggplant pieces, half the chopped almonds, half the tomato sauce, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, salt and pepper and combine well. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish and press down firmly.

On top of the mixture first spread the remaining eggplant, then the almonds, and finally the tomato sauce. Cover with the thinly sliced caciocavallo or provolone, sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top, cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven until the cheese melts. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 or 10 minutes to brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes, then serve. Serves 4.

Comments

Quick Baked Pasta

INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. lean ground beef
3 cloves garlic, peeled & crushed
3/4 c. spaghetti sauce
3/4 c. good brown gravy (homemade or canned)
1/2 c. half and half
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp. dried whole oregano
1/2 tsp. rosemary
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 lb. Penne pasta or mostaccioli

TOPPING:

1 c. Mozzarella cheese, coarsely shredded

Bring 4 to 6 quarts water to a boil. Heat a large frying pan and add oil, beef and garlic. Saute until meat is tender, drain excess fat. Add all remaining ingredients, except pasta and cheese for topping. Simmer mixture while pasta cooks until pasta is just barely tender. Drain pasta and mix with the sauce. Pour mixture into 3 quart, rectangular glass baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until all is bubbly hot. Serves 6 or more.

Comments

Baked Pasta And Sausage

INGREDIENTS:

1 (28 oz.) can whole tomatoes, undrained
1 (16 oz.) can whole tomatoes, undrained
1 lg. onion, chopped
3 lg. cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. Italian hot sausage, casings removed
8 oz. Mozzarella or Provolone, shredded
1 lb. pasta, such as small shells, ziti, or bow ties

DIRECTIONS:

Put tomatoes and their liquid in food processor or blender and process briefly to chop. In a large, heavy skillet, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Saute until softened.

Meanwhile, in another skillet, brown sausage, crumbling with a spoon. When sausage is browned, drain thoroughly and blot with paper towels to remove all grease.

Add processed tomatoes and their liquid to the sauteed onions. Add sausage. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer about 30 minutes. The sauce will reduce a bit. While sauce is cooking, boil water for pasta. Cook until just done. Do not over cook.

In a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, spoon a little sauce on the bottom. Layer paste, sauce, then cheese; repeat. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Serves 8 generously.

Can be assembled ahead, then refrigerated. Very good on a busy day.

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