Pasta Al Fresco Recipes

PASTA FRESCA

Steps:

• Assign 1 guest to pit the olives and another to dice the tomatoes.
• Bring 12 cups of water and 1 teaspoons of salt to a boil in a large pot.
• At the same time, in another large pot over medium-high heat, add 1/4 cup olive oil along with the garlic, shallots, and walnuts. Stir occasionally for 6 minutes, or until they just begin turning golden.
• Add the basil and stir for 30 seconds (to release their flavors).
• Add tomatoes, olives, remaining salt, pepper, chile pepper, and remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add yellow cherry tomatoes at the end.
• While sauce is simmering, add pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to package directions.
• Warm the second loaf of bread in a preheated 325 degrees F oven.
• Drain pasta. Add pasta to sauce in pot. Toss thoroughly. Put pasta pot directly on the table, or transfer to a large pre-warmed serving bowl.
• Serve with Parmesan. Don't forget the bread in the oven!

TO DIE FOR FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add fettuccini and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter into cream over low heat. Add salt, pepper and garlic salt. Stir in cheese over medium heat until melted; this will thicken the sauce.
• Add pasta to sauce. Use enough of the pasta so that all of the sauce is used and the pasta is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately.

MOM'S PASTA AL FORNO

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion; saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato puree and water; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in sugar and basil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While the sauce is cooking, bring a very large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add ground beef to cooked pasta. Mix in enough tomato sauce to lightly coat the pasta.
• Mix ricotta cheese and water in a bowl until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Spread a ladleful of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add 1/2 of the pasta, all of the ricotta cheese, peas, and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Layer the sliced eggs on every section of the pasta; cover with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Pour remaining pasta, Parmesan cheese, sauce, and mozzarella on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting, so slices don't fall apart.

PASTA FRESCA

Steps:

• Put a large pot of water on the boil for the pasta.
• Put aside 1 cup of the tomatoes and a couple of basil leaves.
• Puree the rest of the tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil in a blender until smooth.
• Season.
• When the pasta water is boiling, stir in the pasta and cook until al dente[approx 10 minutes].
• In the meantime cut the reserved basil into thin strips.
• Drain the cooked pasta and toss it immediately with the mozzarella.
• Add the sauce and mix well.
• Top with the reserved tomatoes and basil.
• Serve immediately.

EASY PASTA ALFREDO

Steps:

• Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile in a small saucepan, combine cream and nutmeg. Cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat in butter until heated through (do not boil). Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. , Drain pasta; transfer to a large serving bowl. Add cheese sauce; toss to coat.