Tomato, Basil and Cheese Baked Pasta

Submitted by ShortyBond

"Another Rachael Ray original!!"

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 lb small shell pasta
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 large garlic cloves
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed Italian tomatoes
• fresh basil leaf, torn into small pieces
• salt
• pepper
• 1 cup store bought basil pesto
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1⁄2 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 1⁄2 lb fresh mozzarella cheese

directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt the water. Add small shell pasta and cook the pasta to al dente doneness which means that the pasta will still have a bite to it or be a little chewy. Cook probably 9-10 minutes.
2. Preheat a deep, big skillet or a medium sauce pot over medium heat.
3. Place garlic on the cutting board and place the flat of your knife on top of each clove. Carefully give the garlic a whack with the palm of your hand to seperate the cloves from the skins. Throw out the skins and chop up the garlic.
4. Add EVOO to the pan by pouring a slow stream of it twice-around-the-pan. Do not let the oil pour out too fast. Add the garlic to the oil.
5. Chop onion finely. Add to garlic and oil. Cook, stirring frequently, five minutes or until onions are tender.
6. Add the tomatoes to the onions and stir. When the tomatoes come to a bubble, reduce the heat under the sauce to low.
7. Stir in basil pieces to wilt them. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your taste.
8. Preheat your broiler to high and place a rack in the center of the oven.
9. Drain pasta shells. Add them to a casserole dish.
10. Add pesto sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese and a handful of grated parmigiano.
11. Stir carefully and coat the hot pasta with the pesto and cheeses.
12. Pour the hot tomato and basil sauce over the pasta.
13. Shred up mozzarella and scatter over the pasta. Add a final sprinkle of parimigiano to the mozarella as well.
14. Place the casserole under the broiler in the middle of oven, 10-12 inches from the heat. Let the cheese melt and bubble on top (3-5 minutes).

Reviews

[Chef Pollo]

This was great. Easy, flavorful, and used up leftovers! Thanks for sharing! Will def. make again...

 

[Jewelies]

A nice, tasty, filling meal. I boiled my pasta for 5 minutes and then once the pasta bake was assembled I cooked everything in the oven for 30 minutes. Used Jubes Recipe #222384 for the pesto.

 

[Bread n Butter]

I made this a few months ago after seeing the recipe on the Food Network website. Wonderful flavor! Thanks for posting.

 

[Stardustannie]

Mmmm...I knew when I first read the list of ingredients for this recipe it was going to be a hit. I made as directed but baked in two dishes, I left one as is and to the other I added some poached shredded chicken breast (for the meat loving man in my life :)A hit with the whole family. Thanks for sharing :)