Penne With Blue Cheese And Herbs Recipes

PENNE WITH BABY MOZZARELLA, TOMATOES, AND HERBS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously, add the pasta, and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain.
• Meanwhile, strip the leaves from the oregano and thyme sprigs. Chop them together with the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper, and then use the flat side of the knife to mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Put in a bowl, along with the cheese, olive oil and toss to coat the cheese with the herb paste.
• Cut the tomatoes into pieces about the same size as the cheese. Gently fold the tomatoes, parsley, and olives in with the cheese. Add the drained pasta and toss, then drizzle over a bit of olive oil and toss again. Serve now or room temperature.

BEEF AND BLUE CHEESE PENNE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions., Meanwhile, sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. Grill steaks, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 5-7 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°)., Drain pasta; transfer to a large bowl. Add spinach, tomatoes, pesto and walnuts; toss to coat. Cut steak into thin slices. Serve pasta mixture with beef; sprinkle with cheese.

PENNE PASTA WITH TOMATOES, HERBS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Saute the diced onion in olive oil over medium heat until the onions are translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and saute one minute longer.
• Add the tomatoes with juices, red wine and dried oregano to the onion-garlic mixture and simmer until most of the juices are gone, about 8-10 minutes.
• Add the salt and pepper to taste and reduce heat to low.
• Simmer covered, on very low heat, while the Penne Pasta is cooking, about 8 minutes.
• Add the crumbled blue cheese and half of the fresh basil to the sauce mixture.
• Stir until the sauce has become creamy.
• Pour the tomato sauce over the hot cooked pasta and toss with the remaining fresh basil.
• Spoon pasta into serving bowl and garnish with whole fresh basil leaves.

THREE CHEESE AND HERB PENNE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cook and drain pasta according to package directions, and pour into a 9x13" baking dish.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Stir in flour, mustard powder, and nutmeg. Gradually stir in milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat.
• Toss cheeses together and reserve about 3/4 cup of tossed cheese. Add remaining cheese to sauce a handful at a time, stirring until melted.
• Stir in herbs, salt, and pepper.
• Toss sauce with pasta. Sprinkle with reserved cheese.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted and crusty (you may need to add a couple of minutes under the broiler if you like your cheese really brown!).

PENNE WITH MUSHROOMS AND GORGONZOLA CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add mushrooms; sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil and oregano and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Cook penne in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Add pasta and cooking liquid to sauce in skillet. Toss over medium heat until mixture is heated through and sauce coats pasta. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to bowl. Sprinkle with Gorgonzola cheese and serve.