Best Baked Tomato Nests Recipes

SPAGHETTI PASTA NESTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large sauce pan cook the spaghetti according to package directions, minus two minutes, so it's very al la dente.
• In the meantime, in a large fry pan over medium heat, fry the Italian Sausage until cooked through. Drain off any grease and then stir in the entire jar of the Mezzetta pasta sauce and the fennel seed. Cook until just reheated.
• In a large mixing bowl, add one egg, beaten. Drain the spaghetti and add to the bowl with the egg and mix well. Add the sauce and stir gently.
• Using a large serving spoon and a fork, twirl the spaghetti into nests and place in a 9 x 13" baking pan sprayed with non-stick spray.
• When all the nests are in place, push one of the mini mozzarella balls into the enter of each. Sprinkle with Italian bread crumbs and sliced green olives.
• Bake until nice and steamy. 30 minutes.

SPAGHETTI NESTS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of four 4-inch-diameter springform pans.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl. Add the spinach, cheese, oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss well until the spinach is wilted. Set aside to cool.
• For assembly: Beat the Parmesan, milk, salt and egg together in a large bowl until smooth. Pour the sauce over the spaghetti mixture until well combined. Twirl 1/2 cupfuls of the spaghetti mixture around tongs or a large fork and transfer to the prepared pans. Make an indentation in the middle of each nest of pasta and drizzle with olive oil. Bake 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before removing the sides from the pans. Remove the bottoms of the pans from the nests using a thin metal spatula.
• Spoon 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce on each of 4 serving plates. Place the spaghetti nests on the sauce. Place 3 balls of the mozzarella in each nest and serve.

TOMATO BASIL PASTA NESTS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Salt the water and cook the pasta al dente, with a bite to it.
• While the water is heating, begin the sauce by heating a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, garlic, and onions. Saute for 8 to 10 minutes; reduce the heat a bit if the onions begin to brown. You want them to become sweet and soft, but not to caramelize.
• Stir in the tomatoes and heat through. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Wilt in the basil and turn off the heat. Stir in pesto sauce.
• Drain the pasta and add to the sauce. Toss in the pan to distribute. Sprinkle in the cheese, tossing to combine (or leave out and serve at table). Grab a meat fork. Stick the fork into the pasta and bring up a heaping forkful. Turn and twist the pasta, using your palm to guide the pasta a bit, to form a nest. Serve! Makes 8 nests, 4 inches wide and 5-6 inches long.
• For Vegan omit the cheese or use a Vegan Cheese sub.