Rigatoni With Bacon Spinach And Two Cheeses Recipes

RIGATONI WITH BACON, SPINACH AND TWO CHEESES

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a heavy, large skillet over medium heat until crisp.
• Transfer bacon to paper towels and drain.
• Pour off all but 3 Tbsp.
• drippings from the pan.
• Add bell pepper and onion to the skillet and sauté until tender.
• Remove skillet from heat.
• Meanwhile, cook rigatoni in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender but firm.
• Drain and immediately return pasta to the same pot.
• Add the cheeses and butter until they melt and coat the pasta.
• Add spinach and brandy and toss over medium heat until the spinach wilts.
• Gently mix in the red bell pepper mixture and the bacon.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with walnuts and chives and serve immediately.

RIGATONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• In a saute pan, sweat the bacon to render the fat. Remove the bacon from the pan, then add the shallots to the fat to cook. When tender, add the porcini and cook 5 minutes. Add the bacon back in the pan. Add the chicken stock a little at a time. Season with salt and pepper and add butter. Cook until thick, about 3 minutes. Toss in bread crumbs and parsley and remove from heat. Check seasoning.
• To make the Mornay:
• Begin by scalding the milk. Turn heat to low and slowly whisk in the roux. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes over low heat. Season with salt and pepper and add grated cheese. Reserve sauce in baine marie.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the rigatoni, begin by cooking the rigatoni in well-salted water for 5 minutes. Shock quickly in ice water. Remove from ice water and keep tightly covered until ready to use. When the stuffing has cooled, put it in a piping bag and fill rigatoni, pressing ends clean.
• Place 4 rigatoni on a tray and spoon the sauce over to completely cover the pasta. Sprinkle with a little fresh bread crumbs and grated Parmesan. Bake for 5 minutes. Finish under broiler, if necessary.
• Plate on the cooking tray. Garnish with truffle shavings and Parmesan cheese.
• Melt the butter in a small pan. Whisk in the flour. Cook until the mixture bubbles. Remove from the heat.

CREAMY SPINACH & RIGATONI BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Cook rigatoni according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings; wipe skillet clean., In same pan, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until blended; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese blend until melted., Stir in artichokes, spinach and pancetta. Drain rigatoni; add to cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese., Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and bubbly, 20-25 minutes.