Indulge in a culinary journey with Ina Garten's Penne with 5 Cheeses, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This delectable dish combines the smooth and creamy textures of five distinct cheeses, harmoniously blended with succulent penne pasta. Each bite is a celebration of rich and savory flavors, enhanced by the addition of crisp pancetta, sautéed shallots, and a touch of white wine. The Penne with 5 Cheeses is a delightful entrée, perfect for a special occasion or an intimate dinner party. Accompany it with a crisp green salad and a glass of your favorite white wine for an unforgettable dining experience. Additionally, the article features two additional delectable recipes: a classic Caesar salad, a timeless favorite with its zesty dressing and crunchy croutons, and a luscious chocolate mousse, a velvety indulgence that will satisfy any sweet craving. Embark on this culinary adventure and create a memorable meal that will leave your guests craving for more.
Let's cook with our recipes!
PENNE ARRABIATA
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 to 5 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a medium (10-inch) pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, warm the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the garlic has softened and is lightly browned.
- Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes, place them in a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and pulse until they're roughly chopped. With a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic to the food processor and pulse again to chop the garlic. Pour the tomato mixture into the pot with the olive oil, add the fennel, red pepper flakes, red wine, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the basil, taste for seasonings (it will be very spicy!), and keep warm over very low heat.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a full boil. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt and the penne and cook according to the directions of the package.
- Two minutes before the pasta is al dente, using a wire or spider strainer, lift the pasta out of the boiling water and add it to the sauce, along with 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Spoon the pasta into low shallow bowls, sprinkle with extra basil and Parmesan cheese, and serve hot.
PENNE WITH 5 CHEESES ALA BAREFOOT CONTESSA - INA GARTEN
I was watching The Barefoot Contessa earlier this week, and she made this dish. The show was about preparing food ahead of time so that at dinner time, you have very little to do. When I went on the Web to get the recipe, it was nowhere to be found. Luckily, the show was repeated last night, so I was ready, pen in hand. The recipe below is exactly how it was described on the show; it looks delicious and I hope to try it soon. The amount given for the gorgonzola is a guess on my part, as it wasn't specified, nor was the type of cream specified (I'd use regular table cream). She also didn't specify how much basil she used, but it looked like about a quarter-cup. It was mentioned that no salt was needed, as the cheeses are salty enough.
Provided by Lennie
Categories Penne
Time 20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 500°F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne for just 4 minutes (or until barely al dente, as it will cook more in the oven); drain well.
- Meanwhile, in a very large mixing bowl, combine the cream, crushed tomatoes, cheeses and basil.
- On the show, very fresh buffalo mozzarella was used, and it was cut into slices and then slivered (much like a julienne); I'm sure shredded mozzarella would work just fine.
- Add cooked, drained penne to sauce and stir well.
- On the show, individual shallow serving dishes were filled with the pasta; I'm sure this could be done in a shallow casserole dish too, such as a 13x9 pan.
- Either fill individual dishes with pasta, as above, or fill an entire shallow dish, then dot butter over surface in small pieces.
- Bake in preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes, until top is browned.
- On the show, the individual dishes were then refrigerated, uncovered, so that they could be reheated later in the evening; unfortunately, no information was given as to how the dish should be reheated (oven temp, time, etc) so, really, your guess is as good as mine.
NICK AND TONI'S PENNE ALLA VECCHIA BETTOLA
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Heat the olive oil in a large oven proof saute pan over medium heat, add the onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add the red pepper flakes and dried oregano and cook for 1 minute more. Add the vodka and continue cooking until the mixture is reduced by half.
- Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes through a sieve and crush them into the pan with your hands. Add 2 teaspoons salt and a pinch of black pepper. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid and place it in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Place the tomato mixture in a blender and puree in batches until the sauce is a smooth consistency. Return to the pan.
- Reheat the sauce, add 2 tablespoons fresh oregano and enough heavy cream to make the sauce a creamy consistency. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and simmer for 10 minutes. Toss the pasta into the sauce and cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan. Serve with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh oregano on each plate.
Tips:
- Use a variety of cheeses: Ina Garten's recipe calls for five different cheeses: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Gruyère, Fontina, Asiago, and Gorgonzola. This combination of cheeses creates a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the penne perfectly.
- Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian, and it refers to the ideal texture for cooked pasta. Pasta that is al dente is slightly firm to the bite and has a slight chewiness to it. To achieve al dente pasta, cook it for the amount of time specified on the package, then taste it to make sure it is done to your liking.
- Don't overcook the sauce: The cheese sauce for this pasta is very simple and quick to make. It is important to not overcook the sauce, or the cheese will become rubbery. Once the sauce is melted and smooth, remove it from the heat and stir in the cooked pasta.
- Serve immediately: This pasta is best served immediately, while the sauce is still hot and melted. You can garnish the pasta with additional grated Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, or cracked black pepper.
Conclusion:
Ina Garten's penne with 5 cheeses is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of five different cheeses creates a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the penne perfectly. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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