Rach Serves Crispy Pasta Nests With A Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipes

SPAGHETTI PASTA NESTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large sauce pan cook the spaghetti according to package directions, minus two minutes, so it's very al la dente.
• In the meantime, in a large fry pan over medium heat, fry the Italian Sausage until cooked through. Drain off any grease and then stir in the entire jar of the Mezzetta pasta sauce and the fennel seed. Cook until just reheated.
• In a large mixing bowl, add one egg, beaten. Drain the spaghetti and add to the bowl with the egg and mix well. Add the sauce and stir gently.
• Using a large serving spoon and a fork, twirl the spaghetti into nests and place in a 9 x 13" baking pan sprayed with non-stick spray.
• When all the nests are in place, push one of the mini mozzarella balls into the enter of each. Sprinkle with Italian bread crumbs and sliced green olives.
• Bake until nice and steamy. 30 minutes.

SPICY AND SAUCY CHERRY TOMATO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Pat the capers dry, then add them to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the capers to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook over medium-high, stirring frequently, until tomato paste darkens in color and deepens in flavor, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, the garlic and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and reduce heat to medium. Cook according to package instructions until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 2/3 cup pasta cooking water from the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to fall apart and the liquid becomes saucy, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the pasta, and transfer it to the skillet with the sauce to combine. (If your skillet is too full to accommodate the pasta, you can transfer the cooked pasta back to the pot, then add the sauce to combine.) Stir in half the basil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide among plates or bowls and top with capers and remaining basil, plus cheese and whole basil leaves. Serve immediately.

PASTA WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta.
• Pulse the chopped tomatoes in a food processor fitted with the steel blade, or pass through the medium blade of a food mill with their juice before you begin. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, wide nonstick skillet or saucepan and add the garlic and crumbled chili (or flakes). Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds to a minute, until the garlic is translucent and begins to smell fragrant, and add the tomatoes and their juice, salt, and oregano if using. Stir and turn up the heat. When the tomatoes begin to bubble, lower the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until thick and fragrant, 15 to 25 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• When the pasta water comes to a boil, add a tablespoon of salt and the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente, following the timing instructions on the package but checking a minute or two before the time on the package. When the pasta is done, transfer to the pan with the sauce, add the basil if using, and toss together over medium heat until it is well coated with the sauce. Add half the cheese, toss together and serve, passing the remaining cheese at the table.

RACH SERVES CRISPY PASTA NESTS WITH A SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large pot of water to boil for spaghetti
• For the Arrabbiata sauce, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat with EVOO, 4 turns of the pan, add onion, garlic, salt, marjoram or oregano, chili paste or chili flakes, and tomato paste, and cook to soften 7-8 minutes
• Add wine and cook down 2 minutes, then add sugar, sauce, tomatoes and basil, and simmer 20-30 minutes
• For pasta, in a small pot, heat EVOO, about 3 tablespoons, over medium heat, then add butter and when it foams add garlic and swirl a minute or 2
• Season pasta water liberally with salt, about 2 tablespoons, and cook pasta about 7 minutes
• Reserve ¾ cup water and drain pasta, then return to hot pot
• Add EVOO and garlic butter, reserved water, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and egg, and toss 2 minutes
• Heat two small 8- to 10-inch nonstick skillets over medium-high heat
• Using a fork, twist a large nest, about ¼ of the pasta, and transfer to the nonstick skillet
• Cover pan and cook pasta to crisp on bottom and sides but still tender on top
• Transfer to warm oven, and repeat
• If you'd like the nests crispy on both sides, flip nest over and cook until brown
• Place nests in shallow bowl or rimmed dinner plates and top with even layer of sauce and basil
• Add fried or over-easy egg, optional

SPINACH TAGLIATELLE WITH BUTTERY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil over medium-low to medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of the butter and melt into the oil. When the butter bubbles add the garlic and onions, and season with salt and a little pepper. Cover and cook to soften, stirring occasionally until the onions are very soft and sweet, about 15 minutes, but not brown. Add the stock and tomatoes to the pot, breaking up the tomatoes with a potato masher or wooden spoon. Add several leaves of basil, torn. Gently simmer to thicken, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta, cook to al dente and reserve 1 cup starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta, add back to the pot but keep off the heat. Toss the pasta with the water, remaining 1 tablespoon butter, half the sauce and some cheese. Serve in shallow bowls topped with more sauce, and pass the cheese at table.
• Get Rachael's shopping list for this episode's recipes here.

PASTA WITH SPICY SUN-DRIED-TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add tomatoes, cream, red peppers and crushed red pepper; simmer over medium heat 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup basil and simmer 1 minute longer.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Add sauce, cheese and 1/2 cup basil and toss to coat. Add enough reserved cooking liquid to pasta to moisten if dry. Season with salt and pepper.