Best Spinach Ricotta Pesto Pasta With Crisp Prosciutto And Asparagus Recipes

BAKED PASTA WITH SPINACH, RICOTTA, AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook pasta a few minutes less than package instructions suggest. Cut prosciutto into thin strips.
• In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, toss pasta with spinach, half of prosciutto, milk, ricotta, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Top with remaining prosciutto and Parmesan. Bake until golden, 30 to 40 minutes.

PASTA WITH SPINACH AND RICOTTA CHEESE RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, cook and stir bacon in large skillet on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard all but 2 Tbsp. drippings from skillet. Add onions and garlic to reserved drippings; cook 2 to 3 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring frequently.
• Add ricotta, milk and Parmesan to onion mixture; cook 2 min., stirring frequently. Stir in spinach; cook on medium-low heat 2 to 3 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, crushed pepper and bacon; mix well.
• Drain pasta. Add to spinach mixture; mix lightly.

PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS, ARUGULA AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add a generous amount of salt. Add the asparagus. Cook pencil-thin asparagus for two minutes, three to four minutes if stems are medium-thick. Transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water. Drain and set aside.
• Place the ricotta in a large pasta bowl.
• Bring the water back to a boil, and add the pasta. Cook al dente, following the directions for timing on the package but checking a minute before the suggested cooking time. Stir 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water into the ricotta. Drain the pasta and toss at once with the olive oil and ricotta, the arugula, asparagus and Parmesan. Serve hot.

GREEN SPINACH & LEMON RISOTTO WITH CRISPY PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Pour the stock into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Blanch the spinach and parsley in the stock for 30 seconds until wilted and bright green, then remove with a slotted spoon and leave to cool for a moment. Turn the stock down to a low heat. Squeeze out any excess water from the spinach and parsley, then tip into a food processor or mini chopper. Add 2 tbsp of the olive oil and 1 tbsp water, then blitz to a fine purée and set aside.
• Heat the remaining oil in a large non-stick frying pan or skillet and fry the prosciutto until crisp. Transfer the prosciutto to a plate covered with kitchen paper and set aside. Put half the butter, the thyme leaves, leek and garlic in the frying pan and season. Scrape up any crisp bits left over from the prosciutto and fry gently for a few mins over a medium heat until the leek is softened and aromatic but not browning. Add the rice, stirring to coat in the garlic mix, and cook for 2 mins until turning translucent, then pour in the wine and cook for another 2 mins until evaporated. Add one ladleful of the warm stock and cook until absorbed, stirring continuously.
• Continue this process one ladleful at a time for 20-30 mins, stirring constantly, until the rice is creamy but still retaining a little bite and without a chalky core. Remove the pan from the heat and stir through the remaining butter, the parmesan, most of the lemon zest, the lemon juice and cream (if using). Stir through the spinach purée, then season well with a little freshly grated nutmeg. Divide between two plates, top with the crisp prosciutto and sprinkle over a little more parmesan and lemon zest.

SPINACH, RICOTTA, AND PROSCIUTTO CANNELLONI

Steps:

• Cook spinach according to package instructions and drain well. Squeeze spinach dry by handfuls and chop fine. In a bowl stir together spinach, ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan, eggs, prosciutto, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. and oil a 13-by 9-inch baking dish.
• In a large bowl of cold water soak lasagne squares until softened, about 15 minutes. Drain squares and pat dry between paper towels.
• Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce on bottom of prepared dish. Working with 1 square at a time, spread about 1/3 cup filling along one edge and roll up to enclose filling, leaving ends open.
• Arrange cannelloni as formed, seam sides down, in one layer in dish. Spoon 2 cups sauce evenly over cannelloni, covering them, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan.
• Bake cannelloni in middle of oven 30 minutes and let stand 10 minutes before serving.
• Serve cannelloni with remaining tomato sauce, heated.