Butternut Squash And Pancetta Baked Pasta With Fresh Mozzarella Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Toss the butternut squash with 2 tablespoons of the oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bake, stirring once or twice, until golden brown and tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the basil and season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl using a slotted spoon.
• Cook the penne in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl with the pancetta.
• Add the tomato sauce, butternut squash, half of the Asiago and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining Asiago and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving. Tear fresh basil and sprinkle it over the top.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the pasta in boiling water to not quite al dente according to the package directions. Drain and transfer to a casserole dish.
• Add the olive oil to a large pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook for a minute or so to slightly soften. Add the butternut squash and season with salt and pepper. Pour in the stock, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the squash has softened, about 5 minutes. Puree in the pot with an immersion blender.
• Stir the squash mixture into the casserole dish with the pasta, then mix in the peas, red pepper and goat cheese. Cover the pasta mixture with the grated cauliflower, then season with salt and pepper. Top with the mozzarella, Parmesan and half the parsley.
• Bake until the casserole is browned and bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley.

Steps:

• Bring a large covered pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet with high sides and a tight-fitting lid (or a Dutch oven), heat the oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the squash and season with salt, cumin and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring every minute, until squash becomes browned in spots and feels just tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook, uncovered, until not quite al dente, 3 to 4 minutes less than the package instructions. (It should be a little too firm to the bite.) Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain. If the pasta is done before the squash, then stir in a drizzle of olive oil so that it doesn't stick together.
• When the squash is just tender, add the broth. Bring to an active simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is soft and easily mashable, 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat, then use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to crush about half of the butternut squash and leave the rest chunky. Season the squash to taste, keeping in mind that salty Parmesan will be added soon.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with 1 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, stirring vigorously to combine. Stir in the spinach one handful at a time until it shrinks down a little.
• Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, the mozzarella and jalapeño, then place in the oven, on a sheet pan if you are worried about dripping. Cook until the top is melted and browned in spots, 12 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil, top with parsley and serve.