Creamy Pasta Rags Recipes

PASTA "RAGS" WITH A THOUSAND HERBS

Steps:

• If using fresh pasta, cut sheets into roughly 4- by 1-inch pieces with pastry wheel, then lightly dust with flour and arrange in 1 layer on paper-towel-lined large baking sheets. Let pasta dry until leathery but still pliable, 5 to 30 minutes. If using no-boil lasagne, break sheets into large pieces (about 4 by 1 inch).
• Cut an X in bottom of each tomato with a sharp paring knife and blanch tomatoes in a 3-quart saucepan of boiling water 10 seconds. Transfer tomatoes with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water and cool. Peel off skin, beginning from scored end, with a paring knife and discard. Halve tomatoes and discard seeds, then cut tomatoes into 1/4-inch dice.
• Stir together oil and herbs in a large bowl.
• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until al dente, 1 to 2 minutes for fresh pasta (time for dried pasta may vary). Drain, then toss with herb mixture. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and cheese and toss again. Season with salt and serve immediately, with additional cheese.

PASTA WITH CREAMY SPINACH MUSHROOM RAGú

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot over high heat. Cook the mushrooms, undisturbed, until browned underneath, 3 to 4 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, until browned on both sides and tender, 4 to 5 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a medium heatproof bowl.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter, onion, garlic and serrano and cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent and softened, about 6 minutes. Add the spinach and 1/4 cup water, cover and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes. Return the mushrooms to pot.
• Meanwhile, boil the pasta, stirring occasionally, until just under al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directs.
• Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid and drain the pasta. Transfer the pasta and reserved cooking liquid to the pot with the spinach and mushrooms and add the crema. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer over medium heat, tossing the pasta constantly, until the pasta has fully cooked through and has absorbed some of the liquid, about 3 minutes. The sauce should be thick and creamy and will continue to thicken as it sits.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Add the 1 cup basil, 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and toss to combine. Taste and season with more salt, if needed.
• Divide the pasta among bowls and top with more Parmesan and basil leaves.