Not Your Usual Four Cheese Pasta Recipes

FOUR CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F Spray 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
• Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over low heat.
• Add garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
• With wire whisk, stir in flour and salt until smooth.
• Increase heat to medium; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
• Gradually stir in milk.
• Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
• Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheeses.
• Cook until melted, stirring occasionally.
• Stir pasta into cheese sauce.
• Pour mixture into baking dish.
• In 6-inch skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat; stir in bread crumbs.
• Cook and stir until crumbs are golden brown. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
• Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

PASTA WITH FOUR CHEESES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add noodles and cook until done about 6 to 7 minutes or according to package directions. Meanwhile, finely dice your cheddar and brie into 1/4-inch cubes. Combine the cheeses with the white wine and ricotta in the top of a double boiler or in a microwave proof container that is large enough to accommodate the cooked pasta. If you are using a double boiler, melt the cheese while the pasta is cooking, if you are using a microwave you can wait until the pasta is done. When the pasta is done, drain, pat dry, and toss it with the melted cheese. Or is you are using a microwave oven, heat the cheese for 1 minute. Whisk it vigorously and return it to the microwave for 20 seconds. Add the drained pasta to the melted cheese, right in the microwave dish, and toss. Season with lots of freshly ground pepper and scallion.

BEST FOUR CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
• Put penne pasta into bowling water for 4 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl combined all ingredients.
• After cooking pasta for 4 minutes drain it and pour pasta in the mixing bowl.
• Butter Pan before pouring pasta and mixed ingredients in baking bowl.
• Sprinkle bread crumbs and parmesan cheese on top of pasta.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes.

NOT YOUR USUAL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook shell pasta at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on paper towels; crumble.
• Whisk creamy salad dressing, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, and oregano together in a bowl to make a creamy dressing.
• Mix pasta, bacon, red onion, water chestnuts, eggs, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, celery, olives, Cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese together in a large bowl. Add dressing and stir to coat. Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving.

NOT YOUR USUAL FOUR CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Do ahead: Combine the tomatoes, basil, salt, and minced garlic. Let stand at room temperature for one to two hours, stirring occasionally.
• In another bowl, mix ricotta with the whipping cream and season with the nutmeg and pepper. Add the fontina and mozzarella cheeses. Let stand while cooking pasta.
• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. While the pasta cooks, drain most of the liquid from the tomato mixture above, leaving it just moist. When ready, drain pasta.
• In large bowl, add the hot pasta, the 2 tablespoons olive oil, and the cheese mixture. Toss till cheese melts. Spoon tomato mixture across the top but do not stir yet.
• At table, toss the pasta mixture and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese just before serving.