Squash Bacon And Goat Cheese Pasta With Basil Recipes

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND BACON ONE-POT PASTA

Steps:

• Using a fork, poke a few holes in skin of squash. Place the entire squash in the microwave and cook on high power for 5 minutes. Remove squash using a towel or oven mitts and allow to cool for a few minutes. Place squash on cutting board and hold warm squash with an oven mitt (or latex dishwashing glove) and slice squash in half; scoop out seeds.
• Place one squash half face down on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high-power, 3 to 5 minutes. Reserve second squash half for another use.
• Scoop cooked squash flesh out of shell and place in a blender or food processor and blend with about 3 tablespoons water until smooth; set aside. Makes about 11/2 cups puree.
• In a large pot, cook penne according to directions on the regular pasta box (as it takes a little longer to cook than whole grain pasta). Drain pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup pasta water.
• In the same large pot, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until browned. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving bacon fat (about 1 tablespoon) in the pot.
• Over medium heat, whisk the flour into the bacon fat. Slowly whisk in the warm milk and cook, stirring, until the mixture begins to bubble. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in reserved squash puree; cook until warm, about 2 minutes. Stir in cheese, thyme, salt, pepper and 1 to 2 tablespoons pasta water if sauce seems too thick. Add pasta and reserved bacon and toss gently. Serve with additional shredded cheese if desired.

BAKED PENNE WITH SQUASH AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• For the topping: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix together the panko, olive oil and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
• For the pasta: Heat a large ovenproof braiser over medium heat. Melt the butter in the braiser and add the shallots, pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour and stir to cook out some of the raw flour taste, about 2 minutes. Slowly begin to add the milk, adding a small amount at a time and whisking after each addition, until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the goat cheese, 1 cup mozzarella and the squash. Season with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Season well with salt. Cook the pasta for about 6 minutes (it should still be very firm). Using a pasta spider, remove the pasta directly to the sauce but do not yet stir it in. Sprinkle the plain pasta with the Parmesan and stir to combine. Add the broccoli rabe to the pasta water and cook for 30 seconds. Use the pasta spider to drain well, then add to the pasta. Stir to evenly distribute. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and the panko mixture. Bake until bubbly all over, 20 to 25 minutes. Switch to the broiler and broil for 5 minutes to brown the top, if desired.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA WITH BACON AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Set a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375 degrees.
• Add the butternut squash to a large baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the top and season with red-pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Toss to combine, then spread the squash into an even layer and bake for 15 minutes.
• While the butternut squash bakes, in a small bowl, toss the red onion with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• After the squash has cooked for 15 minutes, give it a stir and push it to one side of the baking sheet to make room for the onion and bacon, trying to keep the squash in one layer. Add the red onion to the pan, then lay the strips of bacon in a single layer next to the onion.
• Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 30 minutes and cook, stirring the squash and onion after about 15 minute. The bacon should be crisp and the vegetables cooked through and beginning to caramelize at the edges. (They don't have to be super golden brown, but a little color is nice.)
• Just before the vegetables and bacon are done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot to keep warm if necessary.
• When the vegetables are tender and the bacon crispy, take the baking sheet out of the oven and carefully transfer the bacon to a cutting board. Coarsely chop the bacon.
• Add the butternut squash, onions and any bacon fat to the pot with the pasta. Add about 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1/2 cup pasta water to the pot and stir everything until well combined. You want the squash to break down a bit and coat the pasta; add more pasta water as necessary to coat the pasta with the squash and cheese.
• Stir in half the chopped bacon, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide the pasta among bowls or plates. Top with chives, parsley, black pepper and the remaining Parmesan and bacon. Serve immediately.