Pesto Marinara Spaghetti Recipes

JUICY PESTO PASTA!

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to the boil with the salt.
• Add pasta and cook for the length of time per the packet.
• Just before draining, scoop out 1 cup of of the pasta cooking water.
• Drain pasta in a colander, leave it for a minute.
• Transfer pasta to a bowl (do not use pasta cooking pot, too hot).
• Add pesto and 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss to coat pasta in pesto, adding more water if required to make pasta silky and saucy, rather than dry and sticky.
• Taste, add more salt and pepper if desired.
• Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parmesan.

SPAGHETTI PESTO

Steps:

• Start a pot of well salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until it is just al dente (start tasting a few minutes before the package recommends: you want it to be tender but still a little firm on the inside; usually around 7 to 8 minutes). Just before draining, reserve 1 cup pasta water! Then drain the pasta.
• Place the pasta in a bowl (not the pasta pot). Stir together the pasta, pesto, and 1/2 cup pasta water, tossing with tongs until the pesto is well distributed and the pasta water forms a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if desired. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and taste. If the flavor doesn't pop, add a few more pinches until it does (the salt content in purchased pesto brands varies, as well as the amount of salt you used in the pasta water). Serve immediately.
• Store any leftovers refrigerated: note that pesto can get gummy when reheated, so it's best to eat leftovers cold or room temp.

PESTO PASTA RECIPE WITH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle.
• In a larger bowl, toss the tomatoes with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Transfer to a sheet-pan and bake in heated oven 25 to 35 minutes or just until the tomatoes collapse and develop some char (if you don't want them too soft, take the tomatoes out earlier). When ready, remove from the oven. (See notes)
• While the tomatoes are roasting, cook the spaghetti in boiling water according to the package to al dente (about 10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta.
• Transfer the cooked spaghetti to a large bowl (same bowl used earlier for the tomatoes). Add the pesto and toss to coat. If you need to, add a little bit of the pasta cooking water to help mix it evenly. Taste, and if needed, add a bit of kosher salt and black pepper to season.
• Add the roasted tomatoes and mozzarella to the bowl of pasta. Toss to combine. Serve warm. Garnish with fresh basil, if you like.

PRESTO MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• Transfer the tomatoes and liquid to a bowl and gently crush the tomatoes with your hands.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan, set over moderate heat until hot. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and liquid, tomato sauce, basil, salt, and red pepper flakes, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta. Drain the pasta and transfer to a large bowl. Add sauce and toss to coat. Top with cheese. Serve with a green salad and crusty bread.
• Variations: Mushroom Marinara Sauce: After onion and garlic have softened, add 1/2 pound fresh sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Continue with recipe as above.
• Tuna Marinara Sauce: Add 1 can Italian tuna, packed in oil, including oil, after sauce has simmered 10 minutes, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
• Sausage Marinara Sauce: After onion and garlic have been softened, add 1/2 pound crumbled Italian (sweet or hot) sausage and cook, stirring, until no longer pink. Add tomatoes and continue with recipe as above.

PRESTO MEATBALLS AND MARINARA

Steps:

• For the meatballs: Put the bread in a small bowl and add just enough milk to cover. Let soak for 5 minutes.
• Add the cheese, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, egg and soaked bread to a large bowl and mix lightly with your hands. Add the meat and gently mix; do not overwork. Form the mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a healthy drizzle of olive oil. Working in batches, fry the meatballs in the skillet until all sides are golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside.
• For the marinara sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the Italian seasoning and onions and sweat the onions until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then add the wine to the pan to degalze. Then add the tomatoes and meatballs, bring to a simmer and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bucatini according to the package directions, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
• If your sauce gets too thick, add some of the starchy pasta water to thin it out. Remove the sauce from the heat, season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh basil. Finish with grated cheese over the top and serve.