Mean Green Pasta Casserole Recipes

THE MEAN GREEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large pot of boiling water, blanch green beans. Remove to an ice bath until cool, drain and let dry. Lightly butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish.
• In a large frying pan, over medium-high heat, saute bacon until lightly crispy, remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. In remaining bacon fat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, heat over medium-high heat, add onions and saute until just starting to caramelize, add in red bell peppers, saute 2 minutes, add in mushrooms and minced shallot and saute for 2 more minutes. Season with the salt, pepper and cayenne. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. When butter is melted, add in flour, all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until well combined. Continue to stir for 1 minute more. Add in milk 1/2 cup at first, stirring well to combine, then add 1 cup more milk, stir to combine and bring to a simmer, then add final 1/2 cup of milk and stir and simmer until thickened.
• Add in seasonings, combine with green bean mixture and pour into prepared pan. Top with 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs, then reserved bacon, then remainder of panko lightly sprinkled on top.
• Place in oven, set timer for 35 minutes.
• In a medium bowl place buttermilk, onion, and shallots. Let sit 10 minutes, drain well.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour and seasonings. When green beans have been in the oven 25 minutes, in a large frying pan, heat canola oil to 350 degrees F. While oil is heating, dredge drained onion and shallots in flour mixture. Drop carefully into the hot oil, 1/3 at a time. They will cook rapidly, 1 minute or less. Turn over if necessary. Remove and drain on paper towels. Let oil heat between batches.
• When timer goes off for green beans, take out of oven, top with onion-shallot mixture, evenly coating the casserole, place back into oven and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Remove and let set 5 minutes before serving.

MEAN GREEN FUSILLI

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, place a skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the chiles, garlic, onion and jalapeno. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes to start softening the onions. Add the cilantro, broth and wine. Turn up the heat and cook for 3 minutes until the sauce has boiled and reduced slightly.
• Drain the pasta and stir it into the sauce. Add the cream, then the Monterey Jack. Stir to coat the pasta and add salt and pepper. When the cheese has melted into the sauce and everything is combined, serve with a sprinkle of cilantro.

TALLERINE

Steps:

• In a large pot with boiling salted water cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook meat with seasoning salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until brown. Add the cans of Mexican-style corn, tomatoes with green chilies and mix well.
• Pour mixture into casserole dish prepared with butter spray. Arrange sliced processed cheese food on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in a preheated 375 degree F(190 degrees C) oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir and serve.

MEAN GREEN SCRAMBLE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the hardy greens, scallions and jalapeños. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the greens have wilted, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the half-and-half, pesto and eggs to a pitcher or bowl. Whisk with a fork until well combined.
• Add the egg mixture to the skillet and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until creamy curds begin to form, about 2 minutes. Add the Monterey Jack and continue to cook, stirring, until the eggs are just cooked and the cheese has melted, another 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve the eggs on top of the tomato slices and garnished with the chives.