Not Your Usual Four Cheese Pasta Recipes

Steps:

• Do ahead: Combine the tomatoes, basil, salt, and minced garlic. Let stand at room temperature for one to two hours, stirring occasionally.
• In another bowl, mix ricotta with the whipping cream and season with the nutmeg and pepper. Add the fontina and mozzarella cheeses. Let stand while cooking pasta.
• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. While the pasta cooks, drain most of the liquid from the tomato mixture above, leaving it just moist. When ready, drain pasta.
• In large bowl, add the hot pasta, the 2 tablespoons olive oil, and the cheese mixture. Toss till cheese melts. Spoon tomato mixture across the top but do not stir yet.
• At table, toss the pasta mixture and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese just before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain well and spread the spaghetti on a baking sheet; let cool.
• In a large bowl, toss the fontina with the Gruyere and mozzarella. Spread half of the spaghetti in the prepared baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle half of the mixed cheeses and half of the Gorgonzola over the spaghetti and season with salt and pepper. Repeat with another layer of spaghetti, mixed cheeses, Gorgonzola and salt and pepper.
• Bake the spaghetti in the center of the oven until the top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares and serving.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add noodles and cook until done about 6 to 7 minutes or according to package directions. Meanwhile, finely dice your cheddar and brie into 1/4-inch cubes. Combine the cheeses with the white wine and ricotta in the top of a double boiler or in a microwave proof container that is large enough to accommodate the cooked pasta. If you are using a double boiler, melt the cheese while the pasta is cooking, if you are using a microwave you can wait until the pasta is done. When the pasta is done, drain, pat dry, and toss it with the melted cheese. Or is you are using a microwave oven, heat the cheese for 1 minute. Whisk it vigorously and return it to the microwave for 20 seconds. Add the drained pasta to the melted cheese, right in the microwave dish, and toss. Season with lots of freshly ground pepper and scallion.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and put it in the prepared casserole dish. Stir in the tomatoes and their juices. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until just soft, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and cook for about 4 more minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half. Reduce the heat to medium and add the cream. Simmer gently, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to thicken slightly. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan, Gorgonzola, mozzarella, and fontina cheeses, and season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the cheese mixture over the pasta. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly. Remove from the oven and stir to make sure the cheese and pasta are thoroughly combined.
• notes
• Great for freezing! See our Freezer Tips on pages 23-27.
• Vegetarian friendly!
• End up with extra Gorgonzola? Put it to good use! Sandy loves to stuff it into a fresh fig, then wrap the fig in a very thin slice of prosciutto. Voilà! A sophisticated garnish for a salad or an easy appetizer for your next cocktail party.