Cheddarpastatoss Recipes

CHEESY SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Dice cheddar cheese into small cubes.
• Put diced cheese in an ovenproof bowl.
• Add 1 can diced tomatoes, Spaghetti Sauce, salt and pepper if desired.
• Partially cook 4 to 6 portions of spaghetti.
• Drain.
• Add spaghetti to bowl.
• Mix all together (I use my hands).
• Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees until golden crispy and gooey.

EASY BROCCOLI CHEDDAR PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 7-10 minutes. The pasta should be quite firm still as it will continue cooking in the oven. Add the broccoli florets and cook for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup of cooking water and drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a deep pan or saucepan then whisk in the flour.
• Cook for 1-2 minutes then whisk in the garlic powder and thyme.
• Add the milk, stirring/whisking continuously, until smooth. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has thickened and the flour has cooked through.
• Stir in the cream, grated cheese and season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the pasta and broccoli with the cheese sauce. Add a little pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
• Transfer to a baking dish and top with grated cheddar cheese. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
• Remove from the oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes then serve.

SMOKED TURKEY PASTA SALAD WITH CHEDDAR AND HARDBOILED EGGS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Add to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the Cheddar, turkey, eggs, carrots and celery to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

CHEDDAR PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook rotini according to package directions, during the last 5-7 minutes of cooking time add peas to rotini.
• Drain pasta and peas, rinse pasta and peas in cold water, then drain again.
• Combine pasta/peas with the next five ingredients. Toss gently to combine.
• In a small bowl combine all of the mayo with the next 4 ingredients and the salt and pepper if using. Whisk together until smooth and uniform.
• Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and stir gently to combine until the pasta mixture is evenly coated.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Overnight is best.

TOMATO, BASIL AND CHEESE BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt the water. Add small shell pasta and cook the pasta to al dente doneness which means that the pasta will still have a bite to it or be a little chewy. The pasta will soak up more juice and keep on cooking after we drain it, so we need it to be a little under cooked. The shells will probably cook about 9 or 10 minutes.
• Preheat a deep, big skillet or a medium sauce pot over medium heat.
• Place garlic on the cutting board and place the flat of your knife on top of each clove. Carefully give the garlic a whack with the palm of your hand to separate the cloves from the skins. Throw out the skins and chop up the garlic. Remember to keep your fingers curled under and the edge of your sharp, chef's knife tilted slightly away from your body.
• Add extra-virgin olive oil to the pan by pouring a slow stream of it twice-around-the-pan. This will be about 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Do not let the oil pour out too fast. You are looking for a slow, steady stream. Add the garlic to the oil. To chop the onion, cut the ends off and cut the whole onion down the center. Wrap half and save it. Cut the other half into thin slices then twist the slices a quarter turn and chop them again. Hold the tip of knife on the cutting board and lift the back of the knife up and down over the onion to make the pieces really small. Add the chopped up onion to the garlic and oil. Cook, stirring a lot, 5 minutes until the onions are mushy and look cooked.
• Add the tomatoes to the onions and stir. When the tomatoes come to a bubble, reduce the heat under the sauce to low. Stir in basil pieces to wilt them. Season the sauce with salt and peppe, to your taste.
• Preheat your broiler to high and place a rack in the center of the oven.
• Drain pasta shells. Add them to a flameproof casserole dish. Add pesto sauce, 1 cup of ricotta cheese and a handful of grated Parmigiano, too. Stir carefully and coat the hot pasta with the pesto and cheeses. Pour the hot tomato and basil sauce over the pasta, as much as you like. You can always serve a little extra at the table, to pass around. Shred up some mozzarella cheese with a grater and scatter it over the pasta. Add a final sprinkle of Parmigiano to the mozzarella as well. Place the casserole under the broiler in the middle of oven, 10 to 12 inches from the heat. Let the cheese melt and bubble on top, 3 to 5 minutes.