Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage and Peppers – includes the Italian classic of Sausage and Peppers baked into mac and cheese.

Fusilli can be substituted for the rotini. Some popular brands of sausage come in packs that range from 14 to 19 ounces; this recipe will work well with any amount of sausage in that range. Use a 10-ounce block of American cheese from the deli counter rather than presliced cheese.

Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS
1 pound rotini
½ teaspoon table salt, plus salt for cooking pasta
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 green), stemmed, seeded, and sliced thin
1 onion, halved and sliced thin
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1½ cups heavy cream
1¼ cups whole milk
10 ounces American cheese, shredded (2½ cups)
10 ounces fontina cheese, shredded (2½ cups), divided
4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded (11/3 cups)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons fennel seeds (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook until just al dente. Drain pasta; set aside.

Add butter to now-empty pot and melt over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until sausage begins to render its fat, about 2 minutes. Stir in bell peppers, onion, and salt and cook until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer 1 cup sausage mixture to small bowl; set aside.

Stir flour into remaining sausage mixture in pot and cook for 1 minute. Stir in cream and milk, bring to boil, and cook until sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes. Add American cheese, 1 cup fontina, Parmesan, mustard, and pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is completely melted, about 1 minute. Off heat, stir pasta into sauce until thoroughly coated.

Transfer pasta mixture to 13 by 9-inch baking dish and spread into even layer. Sprinkle with remaining 1½ cups fontina; reserved sausage mixture; paprika; and fennel seeds, if using.

Bake until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbling, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes. Serve.

TO MAKE AHEAD
Fully assembled casserole, prepared through step 4, can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, remove plastic and bake until heated through, 40 to 45 minutes.

To make Creamy Tuna Fettuccine, use the olive oil from the canned tuna to cook the creamy sauce. If you’re using tuna in water, just use regular olive oil. For the pasta, use fettuccine, but you can use any type of pasta you like or whatever you have on hand.

Serves 4

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
8 oz fettuccine
2 cans tuna in olive oil 4 oz each
1 shallot
6 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
3/4 cup low fat milk
3/4 cup vegetable broth
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup grated Manchego cheese
sea salt & black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Fill a stock pot a little over half ways with water, season generously with sea salt and heat with a high heat

In the meantime, drain the cans of tuna into a fine sieve with a bowl underneath, gently flake the tuna

Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in 3 tbsp (45 ml) of the olive oil from the canned tuna

Finely chop the shallot and roughly chop the garlic, then add into the hot fry pan, mix continuously, after 2 to 3 minutes add in the flour, mix continuously, after 2 minutes add in the milk and vegetable broth, mix continuously, once you end up with a slightly creamy sauce, about 4 minutes, add in the drained tuna, chopped parsley, dried thyme and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and then lower to a low heat

Once the water comes to a boil in the stock pot, add in the fettuccine, mix every 2 to 3 minutes, make sure to mix the creamy tuna sauce once in a while as well

Once the fettuccine is cooked al dente, using tongs, transfer directly from the stock pot into the pan with the creamy tuna sauce, turn off the heat and mix until well mixed together

Add in the grated cheese and give it one final mix, serve out of the pan or transfer into serving dishes, serve at once

These delicious Swedish Meatballs are simmered in a tangy creamy gravy until tender and served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. The perfect comfort food!

Serves 6

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
For the meatballs:
6 slices white bread cut into small cubes, see notes
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion minced
3 cloves garlic grated
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground pork
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley minced
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2 large eggs beaten
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
vegetable oil for frying – enough to fill the pan a 1/2″ high.

For the gravy:
7 tablespoons butter
7 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup dry white wine optional
4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon allspice plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
For the meatballs:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread and milk and mash together with a fork to form a paste. Let sit for 10 minutes. (Store-bought plain breadcrumbs [1 to 1 1/4 cups] can also be used.)

Meanwhile, heat a frypan to medium heat with butter. Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes then add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add the sauteed onions and garlic and all of the remaining meatballs ingredients to the bread mixture and mix well. Roll meatballs into roughly 1″ diameter balls and place them onto a baking sheet or plate.

Pour vegetable oil 1/2″ high into a heavy frying pan or Dutch oven pot and heat to 350-370f.

Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs, working in batches to not overcrowd the pan, and fry until browned on all sides (about 10 minutes per batch). Remove browned meatballs to a plate.

Or you can bake the meatballs in a 400f oven for 20 minutes

For the gravy:
Heat a pot or large pan to medium and add the butter. Once the butter melts, add the flour and whisk until lightly golden (about 3-5 minutes).

Add the white wine and cook for another minute while scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to dislodge any of the browned bits.

Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil while whisking to incorporate. Once boiling lower the heat to a simmer. Add the Worcestershire sauce, allspice, nutmeg, Dijon mustard, and cream, and bring to a simmer.

To temper the sour cream (this will ensure that the sauce doesn’t break), mix 3 tablespoons of the hot gravy into a bowl with the sour cream. Repeat the process by adding more of the hot gravy to the sour cream. Add the tempered sour cream to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Test the gravy, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

When satisfied with the taste of the gravy, add the meatballs to the pot and cook over a low simmer until they are warmed through. Serve meatballs over egg noodles or mashed potatoes with Lingonberry on the side.

Breakfast Strata is a wonderfully savory bake that is steeped overnight in a cheesy custard, keeping prep in the morning to a minimum. Nigella says if the amount of butter appalls you, of course you can use less – however, this enthusiastic buttering not only imparts its glorious flavor as the strata bakes but makes both releasing it and washing up the dish much easier.

Serves 6

ocado.com – Also, watch the video.

INGREDIENTS
500g (18oz) Frozen Whole Leaf Spinach
30g (1oz) unsalted butter, softened, for the dish
6 eggs, large
250ml (8.5oz) whole milk
½ tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
1 tsp Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
50g (2oz) Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus 3tbsp
150g (5-6oz) Italian Mozzarella, drained
175g (less than 8oz) sturdy bread, torn into generous chunks
290g (10oz) Roasted Red Peppers, drained
1 tsp dried thyme
2 Salad Onions, trimmed and finely sliced
1 bunch Chives, chopped, to scatter (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

A couple of hours before you want to assemble the strata for overnight steeping, arrange the frozen spinach on a shallow baking tray or large plate and let it thaw.

Generously butter a 23cm-9in-square, 6cm-2in-deep ovenproof dish or similar.

Crack the eggs into a measuring jug (or bowl), then pour in the milk. Spoon in the salt, dijon mustard and worcestershire sauce and, just with a fork, whisk gently but thoroughly to break up the eggs and mix all the ingredients together. Once it seems relatively smooth, add 50g of grated parmesan (reserving the 3tbsp to sprinkle over in the morning) and whisk again quickly to mix.

Squeeze any excess water out of the thawed spinach with your hands and then, with your poor frostbitten fingers, layer it nice and evenly on the bottom of your buttered dish.

Tear half the mozzarella ball into small pieces over the dish, letting the pieces fall as evenly as possible over the spinach layer.

Tumble in the bread pieces to make another layer, then tear the drained peppers over the dish. Arrange them so they’re evenly distributed over the cheese, ensuring every bite is wonderful.

Sprinkle over the dried thyme, followed by the salad onions and the remaining mozzarella (as before), then pour over your egg and milk mixture. Press the bread down into the liquid to submerge it with the implement of your choice, or just use your hands (which I prefer). Cover and chill overnight.

The following day, take the dish out of the fridge and leave it uncovered for 1 hr. Then, 15 mins before time’s up, heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.

Just before the strata goes in the oven, press down on the bread again, to make sure it has enough eggy coverage, then sprinkle over the remaining 3tbsp grated parmesan. Bake for about 50 mins (check it after 40), by which time the top will be dark gold and puffed up. To check it’s ready, use a regular knife of the sort you eat with to cut into the centre top about 2cm down; if no runny custard remains, it’s cooked! Let it stand for 10 mins and, if wished (and I do wish), scatter the chopped chives over the top.

Simplicity is key with Sicilian cuisine and Chef Michael Bonacini of Gusto TV’s ‘Bonacini’s Italy’ explores just how the region balances simplicity with intensity through flavourful dishes. For dolce, Michael combines spicy with sweet through his tender Spiced Chocolate Cookies (Rame di Napoli). Clove and cinnamon provide the spice, while a glaze of apricot jam, dark chocolate and toasty pistachios rounds out these delicate cookies.

Yields 16

gustotv.com/recipes

INGREDIENTS
Cookie:
2 ¼ cups (540 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (120 ml) sugar
3 tablespoons (45 ml) cocoa powder
½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cloves
¾ teaspoon (3.75 ml) ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
1 ½ tablespoons (22 ml) baking powder
2 large eggs
5 tablespoons (75 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
½ tablespoon (7.5 ml) honey
1 orange, zest
2/3 cup (160 ml) milk

Glaze:
½ cup (120 ml) apricot jam
14 ounces (397 g) dark chocolate, broken into pieces
4 ½ tablespoons (68 ml) unsalted butter
3/4 cup (180 ml) chopped pistachios, toasted

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, cloves, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.

Add eggs, butter, honey, zest, and milk and mix with a hand mixer until a uniform, slightly sticky batter forms.

Using a 1 ounce (30 ml) ice cream scoop, scoop batter onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, until the cookie has darkened in colour, but it still soft.

Remove from oven and let cool.

Place the apricot jam in a small bowl, then brush each cookie with a thin layer of jam.

In a bain marie, melt the dark chocolate and butter until glassy and smooth, then remove from heat.

Flip a cookie over and dip in chocolate until the entire top is coated, then place dipped side up on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with a generous amount of pistachios. Repeat until all cookies are glazed and garnished with pistachios.

Leave to dry, then serve.

White Spaghetti Pie is a comforting baked pasta that combines Pecorino and Fontina cheese with eggs and cracked black pepper to create a sauce that’s tossed with spaghetti, and baked in a skillet until perfectly crisp on the outside but still creamy on the inside.

Serves 8

sipandfeast.com

INGREDIENTS
1 pound spaghetti
8 large eggs beaten
1 ½ teaspoons coarse cracked black pepper
¾ cup Pecorino Romano cheese grated, divided
2 cups Fontina cheese shredded, divided
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375f and set a rack on the middle level and the other rack near the top.

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the spaghetti until 2 minutes less than al dente.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper. Add 1 ½ cups Fontina, and a ½ cup of Pecorino Romano cheese and stir to combine.

Heat a 10-inch oven-proof or ideally a cast iron pan to medium heat.

Drain the spaghetti and add to the bowl. Mix well to combine.

Add the butter and oil to the hot pan and spread to coat the whole pan. Add the spaghetti mixture to the pan and cook for 1 minute without stirring then turn off the heat.

Top with the remaining Fontina and Pecorino and bake for 15 minutes in the center of the oven or until the spaghetti pie is set. For a browner top, move the pan to the upper rack and broil for 1-2 minutes but watch carefully.

Let the spaghetti pie sit for 5 minutes before cutting it into slices.

Note:
– The exact cooking time will vary but should be around 15 minutes. Bake the spaghetti pie just until it sets, then if desired, move to the broiler to further brown the top.

This Creamy Garlic and Paprika Spaghetti is seriously one of Albert Bevia’s favorite pasta dishes ever. Its got such a beautiful creamy texture to it, it´s packed with flavors and it´s all done in just 20 minutes.

Serves 2

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion
6 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tsp sweet smoked spanish paprika
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup vegetable broth
8 oz spaghetti
1/2 cup grated Manchego cheese
handful finely chopped parsley
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Fill a stock pot a little over half ways with cold water, season generously with sea salt and heat with a high heat

Meanwhile, finely chop 1 small onion, roughly chop 6 cloves garlic, finely grate 1/2 cup Manchego cheese and reserve 1 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika

Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and let it heat up

Once the water comes to a boil, add in 8 oz uncooked spaghetti into the stock pot, mix together so all the spaghetti is covered in the water

While the pasta is cooking, add in 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil into the hot pan, then immediately add in the chopped onion & garlic, mix with the olive oil, after 2 minutes add in a generous 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, continue to mix together, 2 minutes later add in the paprika, quickly mix together, then add in 3/4 cup milk and 3/4 cup vegetable broth, mix continuously for 4 to 5 minutes or until you end up with a light creamy texture, then season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and turn off the heat

Once the sauce is done the spaghetti should be cooked al dente, add the spaghetti directly from the stock pot into the pan with sauce, shaking off any excess water, then mix the spaghetti with sauce until well mixed, remove from the stove top

Add in the 1/2 cup grated cheese and 1 tbsp (4 grams) finely chopped parsley, mix together until well mixed, serve at once sprinkled with finely chopped parsley

Lasagne alla Bolognese: The original version of lasagna from medieval times consisted of large rectangular layers of fresh pasta separated by a simple mixture of cheese and spices. During the Renaissance, fish and shrimp were added-a delicious spin that is still common in the Veneto. Today, variations abound. In Bologna, spinach flavors and tints the noodles, which are layered with ragu alla bolognese and bechamel.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
1 carrot
1 small onion
1 celery rib
2 oz pancetta or bacon
3 1/2 tbl unsalted butter
1/3 ground beef
1/3 ground pork
1/4 pound prosciutto crudo
1 tbl double concentrate tomato paste
full-bodied red wine
beef broth
salt
black peppercorns
nutmeg
1 1/2 cups plus 1/2 cup flour
1 egg
1 small bunch spinach
extra-virgin olive oil
4 tbl plus 1 1/2 tbl butter
2 1/2 cups milk
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

INSTRUCTIONS
Ragu:
In a large saucepan, combine 1 minced small carrot, 1/2 minced small onion, 1/2 minced celery rib, 2 ounces chopped pancetta and 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Heat over medium heat.

Stirring, lightly brown vegetables until golden in color.

Add 1/3 pound ground beef, 1/3 pound ground pork and 1/4 pound chopped prosciutto. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more.

Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste.

Add 2/3 cup broth and 1/3 cup red wine; bring to a bare simmer, partially cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Spinach Pasta:
Boil and finely mince 1 small bunch spinach. Mound 1 1/2 cups flour in the center of a large wooden cutting board. Make a well in the middle of the flour and add 1 egg, 1 tablespoon oil and a pinch salt. Add spinach.

Using a fork, lightly beat together spinach and egg. Gradually incorporate flour, starting with the inner rim of the well.

When dough becomes too stiff to work with a fork, knead with hands until dough is no longer sticky (if dough is sticky, add more flour in tablespoon increments).

Knead dough until elastic, a few minutes more, dusting board with flour as needed. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Flatten dough so that it will fit through the rollers of a hand-cranked pasta machine. Set rollers to widest setting and pass dough through rollers, folding and turning pasta with each pass, 3 or 4 times. Cut into 2 pieces and, gradually decreasing pasta machine settings, roll pasta through machine (do not turn or fold) until it is about l millimeter thick and the width of the pasta machine.

Cut dough into large rectangles, the width of the pasta roller, and about 7 inches long.

Bechamel:
In a medium saucepan, heat 4 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup flour over medium heat, stirring, until mixture is nicely colored.

In a slow and steady stream, add 2 1/2 cups milk, whisking continuously.

Simmer, stirring, until bechamel thickens, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Remove from the heat and add 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons butter; stir to combine. If the bechamel is not to be used immediately, cover with plastic wrap and set aside.

Lasagna:
Heat oven to 400°. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil. Add lasagna sheets and cook until they float to the top of the surface, about 15 seconds.

Drain, and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice water. Drain again, and dry between two clean kitchen towels.

Cover an 11″ x 7″ x 2″ rectangular baking dish (or similar size oval gratin dish; slightly smaller is fine) with an initial layer of lasagna, letting the pasta hong over the sides of the dish if necessary.

Cover with a layer of ragu, bechamel and grated Parmigiano-Reggiono cheese. Cover with another layer of pasta, fitting snug inside the dish, and continue, making a total of 4 layers with enough bechamel, ragu and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese leftover for the top.

To finish, fold any overflowing pasta over the dish. Top with remaining bechamel, ragu and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

This Creamy Lemon-Rosemary Pasta is seriously a pasta lovers dream. It´s packed with simple yet delicious flavors, easy to make and done in just 20 minutes. Serve it next to a garden salad and a crunchy baguette for an incredible meal.

Serves 2

spainonafork.com

INGREDIENTS
8 oz spaghetti
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot
6 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
3/4 cup low fat milk
3/4 cup vegetable broth
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 lemon
1/2 cup grated Manchego cheese
pinch sea salt
dash black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
Fill a stock pot a little over half ways with cold water, season generously with sea salt and heat with a high heat

At the same time, heat a large fry pan with a medium heat

Meanwhile, finely chop the shallot, roughly chop the garlic and remove the needles from the stems of rosemary and finely chop the needles

Once the water comes to a boil add in the spaghetti, cook until al dente (check package instructions)

At the same time, add in 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil into the hot pan, along with the shallot and garlic, mix continuously, after 1 minute add in the flour, continue to mix, after 2 minutes add in the milk, vegetable broth, 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice and the chopped rosemary, continue to mix until you make a light creamy texture, about 4 to 5 minutes, then season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together and turn off the heat

Once the spaghetti is cooked al dente, start adding it directly from the stock pot into the pan with the creamy sauce, it´s ok if a little water goes into the sauce, then mix together until well mixed, remove from the stove top

Add the grated cheese and mix together until well mixed

Transfer into serving plates and top off with finely grated lemon zest, serve at once

The Yolan restaurant is geared towards celebrating refined versions of classic Italian dishes, and among the menu highlights is this Pappardelle with White Bolognese.

Maybe use all ground beef or a mix of ground pork and beef.

Serves 4-6

lacucinaitaliana.com

INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. ground veal
½ lb. ground pork
¼ lb. cured meat scraps, such as prosciutto, salami, or soppresata, chopped
3 Calabrian chilis (rinsed and dried off if in oil), coarsely chopped
½ sweet onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 ½ cups dry Italian white wine
1 ½ cups veal or chicken stock (preferably low sodium)
1 cup whole milk
¼ lb. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese rinds
3 fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 lb. pappardelle pasta
2 tablespoons butter, preferably unsalted
¾ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the extra virgin olive oil. After 1 minute, add all the meat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, breaking up the meat.

Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook for 3 minutes. Add the Calabrian chilis.

Continue to cook and brown well, for about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the white wine and deglaze the pan, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the stock, and the milk. When it comes to a simmer, lower the heat to medium. Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano rinds and stir to combine.

Meanwhile, with some cheese cloth, make a sachet with the thyme sprigs, bay leaf and peppercorns. Add it to the sauce.

Continue to cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the sauce is reduced by a quarter. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the water, stir, and cook until al dente, about 3 minutes less than what the box advises. Retain ½ cup of the cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta.

Add the pasta to the sauce, then add the butter, and the pasta water. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring gently to combine.

Transfer the pasta to a large, warm platter. Top with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Serve immediately.