Pasta Wheels And Cheese Recipes

DUMP-AND-BAKE WAGON WHEEL PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish (or two 8-inch square baking dishes) with cooking spray.
• In the prepared dish (or in a separate bowl), stir together dry (uncooked) pasta, marinara sauce, water, salt and basil (if using). Cover tightly with foil.
• Bake (covered) for 25 minutes.
• Remove dish from oven, take off cover, and give the pasta a stir. At this point it should be almost done, but still a bit firm ("al dente").
• Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven (uncovered) for an additional 5-10 minutes -- or just until the cheese is melted and the pasta is tender.
• Garnish with optional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.

WAGON WHEELS PASTA AND CHEESE WITH CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°; spray 12 (1 cup) ovenproof ramekins with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup butter over med-high heat until melted and hot.
• Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt; add chicken to skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until cooked through.
• Add flour and remaining 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes or until blended and smooth.
• Gradually stir in milk.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes or until mixture is slightly thickened.
• Add cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
• Stir in broccoli.
• Add cooked pasta to cheese mixture, stirring gently until well blended.
• Spoon mixture into prepared baking dishes.
• In a small bowl, combine panko and melted butter.
• Sprinkle over casseroles; bake 15-20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
• Let stand to cool slightly before serving.

STUFFED PASTA WHEELS

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Crack egg into the center and add cold water. Stir until it comes together in a shaggy dough. Combine with your hands. Knead on a work surface until it smoothes out and is a relatively firm disc of dough, adding flour as needed. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, place salmon in a bowl and mix with a fork. Add bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese; mix with a fork to combine. Add spinach, eggs, garlic, black pepper, cayenne, and salt; stir together until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place pasta dough on a floured surface and pat into a rectangle. Roll with a floured rolling pin into a 14x12-inch rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick.
• Spread filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 3-inch border on one of the long sides. Lightly brush the exposed dough with water and roll up starting from the side closest to you. Finish with the seam on the bottom and use your hands to shape the tube as uniformly as possible.
• Trim off any excess dough on the ends if necessary. Slice the stuffed tube of dough into 8 equal "wheels" and turn onto their sides. Gently press with floured fingers to flatten slightly.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Cook wheels until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
• Pour marinara sauce into an 8x10- or 9x12-inch baking dish and stir in cumin and paprika. Add wheels and top with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until browned and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped parsley.

WAGON TRAIN PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the egg, salt, garlic and pepper. Add beef and mix well. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs; mix gently. , Crumble beef mixture into a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-4 minutes or until heated through. , Drain pasta; place in a serving bowl. Add beef mixture; sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Toss until pasta is well coated and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.

WHEELY GOOD PASTA AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large pot of salted boiling water cook the pasta until almost al dente, then drain and set aside. Butter 4 ramekins. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and then add flour stirring to combine. Cook until mixture begins to bubble, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and bring to a boil. Lower heat and stir until sauce thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir until cheese melts completely. Season with salt, to taste, depending on saltiness of the cheese. Stir in cooked pasta, then pour into the ramekins. In a small bowl combine bread crumbs, pepper and Parmesan. Sprinkle each ramekin lightly with the bread crumb mixture and bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.