Best Cheddar Squash Pasta Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

BAKED PENNE WITH SQUASH AND GOAT CHEESE



Baked Penne with Squash and Goat Cheese image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
2 shallots, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus additional for the pasta water
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
8 ounces goat cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
One 10-ounce delicata squash, halved lengthwise, seeds discarded and sliced into 1/4-inch half-moons
1 pound penne rigate pasta
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 pound broccoli rabe, trimmed and chopped into 1-inch pieces

Steps:

  • For the topping: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Mix together the panko, olive oil and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • For the pasta: Heat a large ovenproof braiser over medium heat. Melt the butter in the braiser and add the shallots, pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the flour and stir to cook out some of the raw flour taste, about 2 minutes. Slowly begin to add the milk, adding a small amount at a time and whisking after each addition, until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the goat cheese, 1 cup mozzarella and the squash. Season with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Season well with salt. Cook the pasta for about 6 minutes (it should still be very firm). Using a pasta spider, remove the pasta directly to the sauce but do not yet stir it in. Sprinkle the plain pasta with the Parmesan and stir to combine. Add the broccoli rabe to the pasta water and cook for 30 seconds. Use the pasta spider to drain well, then add to the pasta. Stir to evenly distribute. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and the panko mixture. Bake until bubbly all over, 20 to 25 minutes. Switch to the broiler and broil for 5 minutes to brown the top, if desired.

CHEDDAR SQUASH & PASTA



Cheddar Squash & Pasta image

There are few things that are more homey and comforting than macaroni and cheese, but it isn't the healthiest dish by any account. This is the mac & cheese my Mom taught me to make, with the addition of vegetables. Adding vegetables to the pasta serves to both add nutrition value and to decrease the amount of pasta that you actually eat with a serving. This is also good with broccoli, zucchini, and penne pasta but yellow summer squash with rotini pasta is my favorite. Another great twist on mac & cheese that's more high-end is to make this sauce without the vegetables and toss with linguine. Don't bake it when you try the linguine method.

Provided by Eat Your Vegetables

Categories     Penne

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups pasta, uncooked
1 large summer squash, cut into sticks (I like bigger pieces)
2 tablespoons margarine
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup nonfat milk
1 cup kraft shredded 2% cheddar cheese
breadcrumbs (optional)
cooking spray
salt & pepper

Steps:

  • Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan.
  • Add the pasta and return to a boil.
  • Add the squash and cook until pasta is al dente. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the margarine.
  • Add the flour to the margarine to form a paste.
  • Add the milk to the paste and whisk smooth.
  • Add salt & pepper to taste.
  • Once the white sauce is thickened add the cheddar cheese and whisk until melted.
  • Coat a casserole dish with the cooking spray.
  • Combine the pasta, squash and cheese sauce and pour the mixture in the baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with a light coating of bread crumbs if desired (will prevent cheese from developing 'crust').
  • Bake casserole at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 328.9, Fat 9, SaturatedFat 2.7, Cholesterol 8.2, Sodium 304.3, Carbohydrate 44.1, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 5.9, Protein 17.6

Related Topics