Pronto Pasta Dinner Recipes

LEMON PASTA PRONTO

Steps:

• For the pasta and sauce: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta, thyme, garlic and onions and cook until the onions soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the the lemon zest and juice and bring to a simmer. Stir in the peas and cream, bring to a simmer and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
• For the pangrattato (crispy crumbs): Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the panko, tossing to coat in the oil, and then season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the panko is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the lemon zest and thyme and stir everything together.
• Stir the Pecorino into the lemony sauce, then drain the pasta, add it to the skillet of sauce and toss together. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Sprinkle the pangrattato over the pasta and garnish with the lemon wedges. Serve straight from the skillet.

THE PAMPERED CHEF PRONTO PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Cook pasta according to the package directions and drain.
• Chop zucchini with Food Chopper.
• Using Garlic Press, press garlic into Classic 2-Qt Batter Bowl.
• Add zucchini, spaghetti sauce, and basil.
• Grate Parmesan cheese with Deluxe Cheese Grater.
• In a 9x13" Baker, layer one-third of the spaghetti sauce mixture, half of the pasta, one-third of the spaghetti sauce mixture and half of each of the cheeses.
• Repeat layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, and cheeses and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake 45 minutes.
• Uncover, continue baking 5 minutes.
• Serve with roasted garlic bread, if desired.
• Cook's Tips: Casserole may be prepared ahead, covered and refrigerated overnight. Bake as directed except increase the covered baking time to 1 hour.
• For a 6-serving recipe, reduce rotini to 8 ounces, zucchini to 1 1/3 cups, garlic to 1 clove, spaghetti sauce to 28 oz, basil to 3/4 tsp, grated Parmesan cheese to 1/4 cup and mozzarella cheese to 1 cup. Assemble casserole as directed. Place in 9" Square Baker. Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 5 minutes.

PASTA PRONTO - 3 DIFFERENT VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Mexican Mac and Cheese: Cook and drain pasta. Leave pasta in colander. Add to pasta pot Ragu double cheddar sauce, corn kernels, salsa, and cumin. Bring to a simmer. Add pasta; toss. Remove from heat; add cilantro; toss. Top servings with extra salsa if desired.
• Creamy Herb: Cook pasta as directs, scooping out about 1/2 cup cooking water and adding the baby spinach before draining. Drain pasta and spinach; keep in colander. Add to pasta pot Rondele garlic and herb spreadable cheese. Cook over low heat, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until melted. Add cooking water and stir until smooth. Add jarred sliced roasted peppers; heat through. Remove from heat; add pasta and toss.
• Penne Alla Vodka: Cook penne as directs. Meanwhile, slice a large sweet onion, zucchinis, and fresh basil leaves. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high; saute onion 2 minutes. Add zucchini; saute 3 minutes more or until just tender. Add jarred Vodka sauce to skillet to heat. Drain pasta; toss with sauce mixture and basil.