Fresh Mozzarella Stuffed Caramelle Pasta Recipes

TOMATOES STUFFED WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA AND BASIL

Steps:

• For vinaigrette:
• Blend all ingredients in blender until basil is very finely chopped and vinaigrette is thick; season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For salad:
• Cut small skin-deep X on end opposite stem of each tomato. Drop tomatoes into saucepan of boiling water; cook 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to plate. Starting at X, peel skin off tomatoes. Cut 1/3 to 1/2 inch off end opposite stem of each tomato. Using small spoon, scoop out insides of tomatoes, leaving shells intact. Mix cubed mozzarella cheese and chopped basil in medium bowl. Divide cheese mixture among tomato shells, packing gently. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover tomatoes and chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
• Invert 1 filled tomato on each plate. Pour vinaigrette into 6 shot glasses. Place 1 shot glass next to each tomato. Garnish each tomato with basil leaf.

BAKED SPAGHETTI AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Set a large pot of salted water to boil. In a food processor, pulse tomatoes until coarsely chopped. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Cook at a rapid simmer until sauce thickens, about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta 5 minutes (it will still be crunchy). Drain pasta and return to pot. Add tomato sauce, basil, and half the mozzarella and toss to combine. Transfer mixture to a 3-quart baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and edges are bubbling, about 25 minutes.

MOZZARELLA-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut the tops off the tomatoes and, using a spoon, hollow out the middle. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella, bread crumbs, parsley, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place the stuffing in the tomatoes, taking care not to pack them too tight. Place on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Roast for 30 minutes.

PASTA WITH FRESH VEGETABLES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil for the pasta. In a serving mixing bowl combine the tomatoes, scallions and mozzarella and set aside. Add fresh pasta to water and cook quickly just until al dente; drain and place in serving bowl. In a medium size skillet melt butter with olive oil. Add watercress and arugula and saute for a couple of minutes just to wilt. Add yellow bell pepper and saute a minute just to begin cooking and remove from heat. Add arugula mixture and toss the ingredient together with salt and pepper red flakes. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle fresh radish and cucumbers on top.

FRESH MOZZARELLA-STUFFED CARAMELLE PASTA

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine salt and flour creating a well in the center. Add the slightly beaten eggs and mix. Mixture should form a stiff dough, but the addition of the water may be necessary.
• Lightly flour a surface and knead dough for 5 minutes. (I use the dough hook on my KitchenAid mixer to do all of the above.).
• With a pasta machine or rolling pin, roll the dough 1/8" thickness (very thin, but not too thin to hold the mozzarella.) Cut into 25 small rectangles.
• Brush each rectangle with melted butter. Place one cube of mozzarella into the center of each rectangle. Fold over the long edges and pinch together.
• Pinch the ends together close to the mozzarella and give each end a twist. Each mozzarella packet should look like a rolled up taffy. Set aside until all of the pastas are made.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil.
• Once the pastas are ready, boil in batches of 5 caramelles until they float back to the surface (about 3-4 minutes.) Remove to a warmed serving bowl. Complete the cooking and finish pasta with some melted butter and garlic sprinkled with Parmesan OR with some marinara and a sprinkle of fresh basil.

STUFFED TOMATOES WITH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler with rack 8 inches from heat source. Toast bread on a rimmed baking sheet, stirring once, until crispy, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; set aside.
• Scoop out seeds and flesh from each tomato into a bowl; reserve. Arrange tomato halves in a broiler-safe baking dish; season with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add pepper flakes and shallot; cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to high; add reserved tomato flesh and juice. Cook, stirring, until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add corn and greens; cook, stirring, until vegetables are tender, about 2 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Fill tomato halves with vegetable mixture, dividing evenly, then sprinkle with toasted bread, drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and top with cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden in spots, about 2 minutes. Serve warm.

MOZZARELLA STUFFED MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in the milk.
• Add the beef, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, egg and 1 tsp salt to the soaked breadcrumbs and stir with a fork until combined.
• Place about 2 tablespoons of mixture in your hand and press a mozzarella cube into the center. Shape the meat around the cheese, forming a ball. Repeat with remaining mozzarella.
• Cook at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

ITALIAN MOZZARELLA-STUFFED MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix beef, onion, 1/2 of the tomato sauce, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Pat into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle on a sheet of waxed paper. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
• Lift up the short side of the waxed paper to start rolling up the meatloaf. Roll tightly, peeling back paper as you go. Seal edges in place. Transfer meatloaf to a loaf pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Combine remaining tomato sauce and 1/2 teaspoon oregano; pour over meatloaf and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes more. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

TOMATO-BASIL PASTA WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Stir in basil.
• Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on box.
• Stir pasta into sauce. Cook until thoroughly heated. Into large serving bowl, pour pasta and sauce. Gently stir in cheese and pine nuts.

PASTA WITH MOZZARELLA, TOMATOES AND FRESH BASIL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cheese, oil, garlic, salt and pepper; let stand at room temperature for 1 hour., Meanwhile, cook linguine according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Add to cheese mixture. Stir in basil and tomatoes. Serve at room temperature or chilled.