Ricotta Baked With Pesto Recipes

BAKED MUSHROOMS WITH RICOTTA & PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Choose an ovenproof dish big enough to take all the mushrooms in one layer and generously brush it with 1 tbsp of the oil.
• Trim the mushroom stalks level with their caps, if you need to, then put the mushrooms, rounded cap side down, in the dish. Mix the ricotta, pesto and garlic and spoon into the mushrooms (there's enough to pile it up quite high). Sprinkle over the Parmesan and drizzle over the rest of the oil.
• Bake for about 20 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft all the way through and the cheese is just starting to turn golden. If this doesn't happen, put the dish under a preheated grill for a few minutes. If the mushrooms have given off a lot of juice after baking, you can drain some of it off.
• To serve, blob a little pesto on top of each mushroom and scatter with the parsley. Serve hot or at room temperature.

RICOTTA-STUFFED SHELLS WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Put a large pot of well-salted water over high heat, and bring to a boil. Add the pasta shells, put the lid on the pot to help water return to a boil, then remove lid, stir pasta and continue cooking, uncovered until al dente, usually abut 10 minutes. (It's better to err on the undercooked side than risk flabby pasta, so check early and often.)
• Remove pasta from pot and cool in a large bowl of water. Drain well and spread cooked shells on a baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel.
• Meanwhile, make the ricotta filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, scallions, parsley, thyme, lemon zest and juice, and crushed red pepper to taste. Add grated Parmesan and pecorino. Season well with salt and pepper and mix well to incorporate ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a large shallow baking dish (use 2 dishes if necessary). Using a spoon or pastry bag, put about 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture into each pasta shell. Arrange the filled shells in one layer in the baking dish, packed closely together. Drizzle surface lightly with olive oil, or use a small brush to lightly paint each shell.
• Sprinkle top with 1/4 cup pecorino and bread crumbs and bake, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, until heated through, crisp and golden brown.
• To make the pesto, pulse basil, parsley, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender or food processor until roughly chopped. Add oil slowly and blend well. Add a little pepper, taste and adjust seasoning and transfer to a serving bowl.
• To serve, drizzle shells with a little pesto sauce and pass the rest at the table.

SUNNY'S WINNING PESTO AND RICOTTA TOAST

Steps:

• For the pesto: Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over low heat until fragrant and lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• In a food processor add the pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, a pinch of salt, lemon zest, basil and pepper flakes and pulse. Slowly add olive oil while you pulse until the pesto comes together into a consistency that can be scooped without dripping. Transfer to a bowl or resealable container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• For the toast: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the bread slices on a baking sheet lined with nonstick aluminum foil and brush gently with olive oil on both sides. Bake until the edges are golden and the bread is crisp, about 15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Spoon some ricotta onto each crostini. Top with the pesto and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon and pinch of flaky salt if you like. Serve.

RICOTTA-PESTO PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND KALE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, for about 9 minutes (pasta will not be fully cooked.) Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Set aside.
• While pasta is cooking, place sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove sausage to a paper towel-lined plate and leave grease in the pan.
• Add oil to the skillet and saute for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minutes. Add kale, nutmeg, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Deglaze the pan with white wine and cook until kale is soft, 5 to 10 more minutes.
• Return sausage back to the pan. Add ricotta, pesto, and 6 ounces mozzarella cheese. Add reserved pasta and cooking water. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Pour into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle remaining mozzarella over top. Cover with foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

BAKED ROTINI PASTA WITH RICOTTA PESTO

Steps:

• Puree the basil leaves, almonds, garlic and salt together in a food processor.
• With motor running, gradually add the olive oil thru the feeder tube.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese and set aside.
• Cook pasta in boiling salted water until still a little firm about 8 minutes, then drain.
• In another bowl, combine pesto, ricotta, half the mozzarella and the black pepper.
• Add the pasta and toss to blend.
• Pour into a 1 1/2 quart shallow baking dish and top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan and the rest of the mozzarella.
• Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

PASTA WITH RICOTTA PESTO

Steps:

• In a food processor mince basil, garlic and parsley. Add oil through food tube and process for 10 seconds or until thick.
• Add ricotta cheese and process using on/off turns until blended.
• Pour pasta in serving dish and pour pesto over and then top with tomatoes.
• Sprinkle with grated cheese.
• Serve with grated cheese.