Italian Wedding Pasta Recipes

ITALIAN WEDDING PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a jelly roll pan or line with parchment.
• In a medium bowl, use hands to mix chicken, bread crumbs, parsley, pepper, salt, garlic, egg, and 1/4 C of the cheese until blended. Shape into about 36 1-inch meatballs. Place on pan and bake about 18 minutes or until done. Leave oven on for end of recipe.
• Meanwhile, heat large pot of water to boiling. Add pasta and cook 2 minutes less than package directs. Drain pasta and return it to the pot.
• Whisk cornstarch into milk. Add milk mixture and broth to pasta in pot. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Boil 1 minute to thicken sauce slightly.
• Remove from heat and stir in spinach, 1/2 C grated Romano, and some freshly ground pepper. Once cheese is melted and spinach is well wilted, gently stir in meatballs.
• Transfer pasta to 3-quart glass, stoneware, or ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 C grated Romano. Bake 20 minutes or until hot in the center and turning golden brown.

ITALIAN WEDDING CASSEROLE

Steps:

• For the casserole: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until less than al dente; set aside.
• Put the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the butter has melted and the oil is hot, add the celery, oregano, garlic, carrots and onion and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle over the flour, stir and cook for an additional minute. While whisking constantly, slowly add the stock. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the meatballs, kale, Parmesan and cooked pasta, then stir to combine. Transfer to 9-by-13-inch casserole dish.
• For the topping: Mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, butter, parsley and oregano in a bowl until well combined. Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the casserole.
• Bake until golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Allow the casserole to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN WEDDING PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Line 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" jelly-roll pan with parchment paper or foil.
• In medium bowl, with fingertips, mix turkey, bread crumbs, parsley, garlic, egg, and 1/4 cup Romano just until blended; do not overmix. Shape turkey mixture into thirty-six 1-inch meatballs; place in prepared pan.
• Bake meatballs 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat large covered saucepot of water to boiling over high heat.
• Add pasta and cook 2 minutes less than label directs.
• Drain pasta; return to saucepot.
• In 2-cup liquid measuring cup, whisk cornstarch into milk.
• Add milk mixture and broth to pasta in saucepot; heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Boil 1 minute to thicken sauce slightly. Remove saucepot from heat; stir in spinach, 1/2 cup grated Romano, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add meatballs and gently toss to combine.
• Transfer pasta mixture to 3-quart glass or ceramic baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup grated Romano. Bake 20 minutes or until hot in the center and golden brown on top.