Giada Mascarpone Pasta Recipes

RIGATONI WITH CREAMY MUSHROOM SAUCE

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, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• While the pasta is cooking:
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the heat to high. Add the wine and cook for 3 minutes until all the liquid evaporates. Add the stock and simmer until liquid is slightly reduced. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the mascarpone cheese. Stir until creamy. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water, and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the mushroom mixture and the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss well to coat pasta, adding the reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the chopped chives. Serve immediately.

ORECHIETTE WITH SAUSAGE, BEANS, AND MASCARPONE

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, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• In a large, heavy skillet warm the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and onions. Using a wooden spoon break up the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it browns.
• Continue cooking until the sausage is golden and the onions are tender. Add the beans and oregano cook for 2 more minutes. Add the cup of pasta cooking liquid and stir, scrapping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the mascarpone cheese and stir until it dissolved into a light sauce. Add the salt, pepper, and hot pasta. Stir until coated and serve.

GIADA'S FUSILLI WITH PECORINO ROMANO AND BLACK PEPPER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove the garlic and discard. Add the spinach and 2 teaspoons pepper, and cook until the spinach has wilted, about 1 minute.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and add the pasta. Add the Pecorino Romano cheese and 2 teaspoons each salt and pepper, and toss until coated. *I did not add salt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the reserved cooking liquid and the mascarpone cheese until smooth. Pour over the pasta and toss until coated. Season with salt, if desired.
• Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and serve.
• Serve with sliced summer tomatoes and a crusty bread.

GIADA'S SAUCELESS PASTA- SO GOOD

Steps:

• cut asparagus into 1-2 inch pieces.
• in a large skillet, (deep if you have it) melt butter.
• saute mushrooms and asparagus.
• meanwhile, cook pasta in water with salt according to package.
• drain pasta, reserving a cup of the salty starchy water.
• add the pasta to the cooked mushrooms and asparagus.
• stir in the mascarpone and parmesan cheese.
• add water if you need to (i usually only add a couple TBS).
• add nutmeg.
• garnish with nuts and extra parmesan.
• **sometimes I add cajun chicken or shrimp on top too!