Tooties Great Baked Pasta Recipes

CHEESY BACON-TATER TOT PIE

Steps:

• Bake the Tater Tots as the label directs. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F and lightly coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.
• Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, turning once, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then roughly chop.
• Lightly press the Tater Tots into the prepared dish. Top with the cheese and bacon. Bake until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the sour cream and mayonnaise with the Sriracha. Drizzle the pie with the spicy mayonnaise and sprinkle with chives.

FIVE INGREDIENT PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the bow tie pasta and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• Place the pasta, beans, tomatoes, basil, and 2 tablespoons of the garlic olive oil in a large bowl; toss gently until combined. Serve the remaining olive oil at the table to drizzle over individual servings.

CHEESY BAKED PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Heat oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Crumble sausage into skillet, using a spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until starting to brown, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, fennel seeds and red-pepper flakes (if using), and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir in whole tomatoes and their juice, using a spoon to break them up. Add crushed tomatoes, bay leaves and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
• Stir in pasta and 1 cup water and return to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat, pluck out the bay leaves, and fold in about a third of the mozzarella.
• Top pasta with remaining mozzarella and dollops of ricotta. Sprinkle with Parmesan, then transfer to oven. Bake until pasta is tender when poked with a fork, and cheese is bubbly and lightly golden, 18 to 22 minutes. (If you'd like a more deeply browned topping, run the pan under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes.) Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Top with basil, plenty of black pepper, and more red-pepper flakes, if you like.