Cheese And Pasta In A Pot Dee Dees Recipes

5-CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli and cook for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and remove all but 2 tablespoons of the grease from the skillet. Add the thyme, onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and cook until mostly evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cream and heat until bubbly, 30 seconds. Gradually add the fontina, Cheddar, Romano and Gruyère in handfuls, letting each combine with the cream before adding the next.
• Add the pasta to the skillet along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Toss everything together, thinning with the reserved pasta water if needed. Divide the pasta into 8-ounce individual gratin dishes (or 1 flameproof casserole dish) and set on a baking sheet. Divide the mozzarella pearls over the top of the pasta.
• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to broil.
• Broil on the center rack until the mozzarella pearls are brown and the pasta is bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and garnish with the cooked bacon and sliced scallion greens.

CHEESE AND PASTA IN A POT - DEE DEE'S

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Brown meat in a little olive oil in a large skillet; drain off excess fat. NOTE: I also rinse the browned meat and drain to make sure I get most of excess fat removed.
• Return meat to skillet; add onions, garlic, spaghetti sauce, stewed tomatoes and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper; mix well. Simmer 20 minutes until onions are tender.
• Meanwhile, cook shell macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Place 1/2 of the pasta in a greased large deep casserole dish. Cover pasta with 1/2 of the meat sauce. Spread 1/2 of the sour cream over meat sauce; top with Provolone Cheese. Repeat next layer ending with Mozzarella Cheese.
• Cover casserole; bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.
• Remove cover; continue baking until Mozzarella Cheese melts and browns slightly.