Cavatappi Al Sugo Recipes

CAVATAPPI WITH SAUSAGE, KALE AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt.
• In a large saute pan, 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat along with the sausage and 'nduja and cook, breaking apart the meat into smaller pieces, until the sausage is browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and mushrooms and increase the heat to medium-high.
• Cook until the mushrooms begin to brown, then give them a stir and season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer for 1 minute. Add the kale and continue to cook until slightly softened, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Add the pasta to the water and cook to al dente.
• Strain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the water in a bowl. Add the pasta to the saute pan and bring to a simmer. Add pasta water by 1/4 cup as needed if the pasta is dry. Toss, cooking until the pasta begins to get coated and the sauce begins to thicken. Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add the butter, then remove the pan from the heat and add half the cheese. Stir the mixture until thickened and glossy. If too thick, add a splash of the pasta water. Season to taste.
• Divide between bowls and garnish with the remaining cheese.

BAKED CAVATAPPI WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500˚ F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook 2 minutes less than the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, cook the sausage in 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove to a plate using a slotted spoon.
• Heat 1 more tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and herbes de Provence and cook 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes, sausage and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more cooking water. Stir the pasta into the sauce.
• Whisk the ricotta, 1/4 cup cheese blend, the lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and 3 tablespoons cooking water in a bowl. Layer half of the pasta and ricotta mixture in an 8-inch square baking dish, then top with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture and cheese blend. Bake until bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Toss the lettuce with the lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Serve with the pasta.

CAVATAPPI WITH SUGO AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°.
• Cook cavatappi in a large pot of boiling, salted water until slightly underdone, 8 to 9 minutes (always a bit less than package directions). While the pasta is cooking, pour the sugo in the skillet and heat it slowly. Butter the bottom and sides of the baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the butter.
• Drain the cooked cavatappi in a colander, shake off excess water, and dump it into the pan. Toss pasta and sauce briefly until coated, then fold in the meatball slices for a minute or so to heat them.
• Turn off the heat, sprinkle on 2/3 cup of the grated cheese and 1 cup of the shredded cheese, and fold in. Drop the remaining butter in bits on the pasta, fold in quickly, and turn everything into the baking dish.
• Spread the pasta level in the dish; sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese all over and then the remaining grated cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the top is crusty and nicely colored.