Covered Wagon Wheel Pasta Recipes

WAGON WHEEL PASTA PLATE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook the sausage, red pepper, mushrooms, onion and garlic over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. Add broth; bring to a boil. Cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add the tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes., Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat the cream. Slowly stir in the sausage mixture; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Drain pasta; toss with creamy sausage mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.

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 WHEEL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. About 30 seconds before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets and corn kernels. Cook for 30 seconds and then drain into a colander. Run cold water over the pasta to stop the cooking. Keep the pasta draining in the colander while you make the dressing.
• Whisk together the garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.
• Add the well-drained pasta, broccoli, and corn to the bowl, along with the ham, cheese, tomatoes, parsley and scallions, if using. Toss together. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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.

WAGON WHEEL PASTA WITH PANCETTA AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the shallots to the pan and cook until soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Stir in the snap peas and simmer until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the pasta, cooked pancetta, edamame peas, petite peas, Parmesan, the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and mint leaves. Toss until coated, adding the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to loosen the sauce. Transfer to a large bowl and serve.

COVERED WAGON WHEEL PASTA

Steps:

• Bring water to boil in large saucepan. Add all remaining ingredients except cheese; stir.
• Return to boil; simmer on medium-low heat 12 to 15 min. or until pasta is tender and water is absorbed.
• Remove from heat. Add cheese; stir until melted.

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.

WAGON WHEELS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring water to boil in covered pot for pasta.
• Chop whole onion and saute in hot oil in nonstick skillet until onion is soft. Meanwhile, with food processor on, drop garlic through feed tube and mince.
• Combine 1/2 cup of the tap water, as hot as possible, with sun-dried tomatoes, and add to food processor. Process to puree tomatoes. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups of water, and continue to process to combine. Add tomato mixture to skillet and bring to boil. Reduce heat, and continue to simmer to thicken slightly.
• Cook wagon wheels according to package directions.
• Chop parsley and oregano, and add to sauce with lemon juice. Simmer over low heat.
• Grate cheese. When pasta is ready, drain and serve with tomato sauce, sprinkled with cheese.

PASTA WHEELS AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Add pasta; cook until al dente. Drain well. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Heat milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot. Melt butter in a deep skillet over medium heat.When butter begins to foam, add flour; cook, whisking, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in hot milk. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture starts to bubble and thicken, about 5 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt, a pinch of black pepper, cayenne, mustard, and cheese; stir until melted.
• Stir cheese sauce into the pasta, and serve immediately.