Rotini Alla Caprese Recipes

CROSTINI ALLA CAPRESE

Steps:

• Cut bread into 1/2 inch rounds and place, in a single layer, on a baking sheet.
• In a small skillet, heat oil, over medium low heat; add garlic and saute 5 minutes to infuse the oil with garlic flavor.
• Very lightly brush bread with the garlic flavored oil.
• Toast lightly under the broiler.
• Top each crostini with a tomato slice, fresh basil leaf, and half a mozzarella ball.
• Lightly drizzle all with vinegar and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
• ALTERNATIVELY: You can skewer the ingredients on small 4-inch skewers, then drizzle with vinegar and red pepper flakes, if desired.

RAVIOLI ALLA CAPRESE

Steps:

• For the dough: In a small saucepan, over high heat, bring the water and salt to a simmer. Put the flour in a medium bowl. Pour the hot water over the flour and stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to bring it together into a shaggy dough. Transfer the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and continue to work and knead the dough until smooth, about 5 minutes. Allow to rest for at least 10 minutes at room temperature.
• Meanwhile for the filling, in a medium bowl mix together the ricotta, caciotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, oregano, egg and salt.
• For the sauce: Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until the garlic is lightly browned. Stir in the tomato puree and nestle in the basil and cheese rind. Add the salt. Simmer, stirring often, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 12 minutes. Remove and discard the basil and cheese rind.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the pasta dough into a large rectangle about 1/8-inch-thick. Place little mounds, about 2 teaspoons, of the filling about an inch apart down the edge of the rectangle closest to you. Fold the unfilled portion of the dough over the line of filling and gently press down around all the filling to seal the dough. Using a small 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter or drinking glass, cut out the ravioli. Remove any scrap dough from the top and repeat the process. You should end up with around 30 ravioli. In batches, add the ravioli to the boiling water and simmer until they float and are cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove with a spider or slotted spoon.
• To serve, place a spoonful of sauce in the center of the plate and position the ravioli around it. Sprinkle with more Parmigiano Reggiano and garnish with a few leaves of basil.

ROTINI ALLA CAPRESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist.

FUSILLI ALLA CAPRESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
• In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist. Serve.

ROTINI PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• In a large pot cook rotini pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain.
• Cook ground turkey or beef in medium skillet until brown. Add the diced onion, salt and pepper. Mix in half of the jar of spaghetti sauce.
• In a large bowl add the browned beef mixture to the drained pasta and stir in the second half of the of spaghetti sauce. Pour mixture into a 2 quart baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil.
• In a preheated 425 degree F (230 degree C) oven bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm.

RIGATONI CAPRESE

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.
• Combine oil, capers, salt, pepper, and garlic in a small bowl; stir well with a whisk.
• Pour over pasta mixture; toss gently.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; toss well.