Showing posts with label Pasta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pasta. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls

 2 oz rice vermicelli noodles
8 dried rice paper sheets, dried not frozen
8 jumbo cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined and halved lengthwise
3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves
3 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
4 tsp finely chopped fresh thai basil
2 large romaine leaves, chopped
Dipping sauce:
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp lime juice
4 tsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp garlic chili sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp finely chopped peanuts

Cook noodles until al dente, 3-5 minutes.  Drain and rinse noodles and drain again.  Cot noodles into shorter pieces.  Fill a large baking dish with hot water.  Dip 1 rice paper sheet briefly into water to soften slightly, about 1 second, then lay on a work surface.  Arrange 2 shrimp halves over half of sheet closest to you, then sprinkle with about 3 Tbsp noodle, 1 rounded tsp each of mint and cilantro, 1/2 tsp basil and 2 Tbsp lettuce, leaving 2 inches uncovered on each side.  Starting with bottom edge, begin to roll up sheet tightly around filling.  After 1 roll, fold in ends of rice paper like a burrito, then finish rolling.  

Stir together water, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, chili sauce, and garlic in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.  Stir together hoisin and peanuts in another small bowl.  Serve with rolls.



Miso Noodle Soup with Meatballs

 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/3 cup diagonally sliced green onions
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp grated ginger
3 cups chicken stock
2 oz uncooked soba noodles
1 tsp honey
1 tsp chile paste
6 oz ground pork
2 tsp white miso paste
1/3 cup mung bean sprouts
1 serrano pepper, sliced

Heat oil in saucepan.  Add green onions, garlic and ginger; saute 6 minutes.  Add stock, bring to a simmer.  Reduce heat to medium low; cook 8 minutes.  Cook noodles separately according to package directions; drain.  Rinse with cold water; drain.  Combine honey, chile paste and ground pork.  Shape pork mixture into 8 meatballs.  Stir miso into stock mixture.  Add meatballs to pan; cook 6 minutes or until done.  Add noodles.  Sprinkle with mung bean sprouts and serrano.  



Creamy Noodle Casserole

 1 pkg (6 oz) egg noodles
1 pkg (8 oz) frozen broccoli cuts
1.5 cups cubed fully cooked ham
2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz shredded parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup half and half cream
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In a large pot, cook noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes.  Add broccoli and ham; cook 5-10 minutes longer or until noodles are tender.  Drain; return to pan.  Stir in the remaining ingredients.  Cook and stir over low heat until butter is melted and mixture is heated through.



Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Steak and Gnocchi Hash

 8 oz sirloin steak, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Salt and pepper
5 Tbsp EVOO
12 oz gnocchi
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into rings
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Season steak with 3/4 tsp salt and a few grinds of pepper in a bowl.  Heat 2 Tbsp EVOO in large skillet over med-high heat.  Add gnocchi and cook, stirring occasionally, and reducing the heat as needed.  Cook until browned and crisp all over, 6-8 minutes.  Season with a big pinch of salt; remove to a plate.  Add 1 more Tbsp EVOO to the skillet.  Spread out steak pieces in pan and cook, turning, until well browned all over, 2-3 minutes.  Remove to another plate.  Add remaining t2 Tbsp EVOO to skillet.  Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, 1 tsp salt and a few grinds of pepper.  Cook, stirring until the vegetables have softened and browned, 5-7 minutes.  Add garlic and paprika and stir for about 30 seconds, then drizzle in the vinegar and stir for a few more seconds.  Return gnocchi and steak to the pan and add half the parsley.  Stir until heated through, about 1 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper. Top with remaining parsley.

Serves 3



Thursday, April 23, 2026

Creamy Chicken and Vegetables with Noodles

10 oz uncooked egg noodles
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
6 green onions, sliced
8 oz garden vegetable cream cheese spread
1 1/4 cups milk
1 1/2 cups chopped deli rotisserie chicken
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp canned french fried onions

Cook and drain noodles as directed on package. Meanwhile, spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat.  Add mixed vegetables and green onions; cook about 4 minutes, stirring frequently until vegetables are crisp-tender.  Stir in cream cheese and milk until blended.  Stir in chicken, garlic salt and pepper; cook until hot.  Stir noodles into cheese sauce mixture; cook until hot.  Sprinkle with french fried onions.

Serves 4



Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno

1/2 pound ziti pasta
1 pound italian sausage
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
1 (15 oz) jar alfredo sauce
8 oz pkg shredded italian blend cheeses
15 oz tub ricotta cheese
1/2 cup italian seasoned panko bread crumbs
3/4-1 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp butter, melted
2 garlic cloves, minced
**Add finely chopped kale to sauce to up the nutrition a little**

Preheat oven to 375.  Grease 13x9 dish.  Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Cook pasta 1 minute less than directed on pkg.  Drain pasta and transfer to a large bowl.  While pasta is cooking, brown sausage and drain fat.  Add marinara, alfredo, sausage, 1 1/2 cup italian blend cheeses, and ricotta cheese to pasta. (Add kale at this time if you are using).  Toss to combine.  Transfer pasta mix to prepared dish.  Top with remining 1/2 cup italian blend cheese.  For topping, in a small bowl, stir together panko, parmesan, melted butter and garlic.  Sprinkle over pasta mixture in baking dish.  Bake until hot and bubbly and top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.  

Serves 4



Sunday, October 12, 2025

Chicken Fajita Pasta

 1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
1 Tbsp EVOO
1/2 red onion, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups water
1/2 pound penne pasta (or other medium length tube pasta)
2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 cup salsa
2 cups shredded mexican 4 cheese blend
Chopped fresh cilantro

For spice blend, combine chili powder, cumin, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and oregano in a small bowl.  Sprinkle half of the spice blend over uncooked chicken.  Heat EVOO in large pot (or deep skillet) over medium high heat.  Cook chicken, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 5-6 minutes.  Transfer to a plate.  Chicken will not be cooked fully at this point.  Add more oil to pot if needed.  Cook onion and garlic, stirring frequently, until softened, 2-3 minutes.  Add broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from bottom of pot.  Stir in water and pasta.  Add chicken and peppers and bring to a boil.  Make sure all pasta is submerged in liquid to cook.  You may need to add water (1/4 cup at a time) to ensure all pasta is covered, but don't go overboard adding water.  Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, covered and stirring occasionally until pasta is cooked through, about 15 minutes.  Stir in remaining spice blend, cream and salsa.  Add cheese and stir until melted.  Sprinkle with cilantro.

Serves 5




Saturday, August 2, 2025

Green Curry Chicken Soup

 2 Tbsp avocado oil
1/2 cup diced shallot
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp ginger paste
2 cups stemmed and thinly sliced portabello mushrooms
3 oz thai green curry paste
6 cups chicken broth
1 (14 oz) unsweetened full fat coconut milk
2 Tbsp coconut aminos
2 Tbsp fish sauce
Grated zest of 1 lim
2 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp sugar
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced (shortcut:  use 3 cans cooked chicken breast)
2 heads baby bok choy, roughly chopped
8-16 oz rice noodles (more if you want a less soupy version of this bowl)
For toppings:
Fresh thai basil leaves
Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced

Bring a saucepan of water to boil for rice noodles.  Wait until end before actually cooking noodles though.  In a large pot, heat oil over heat.  Add shallot, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until the veggies are tender, about 2 minutes.  Add mushrooms and continue to cook, stirring until mushrooms are slightly tender, about 2 minutes.  Add green curry paste and stir until well combined.  Continue stirring and slowly pour in broth.  Add coconut milk, coconut aminos, fish sauce, lime zest, lime juice, and sugar.  Stir to combine.  Increase heat to medium heat and bring soup to a simmer.  Add sliced chicken, cover, and let simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 8-10 minutes.  (If you are using canned chicken, drain chicken and add to soup and allow it to warm up, about 2-3 minutes).  Stir in bok choy.  Right before serving, add rice noodles to the pan of boiling water and cook according to package directions.  Ladle soup into a bowl and place a nest of rice noodles into the broth.  Top with thai basil, cilantro, and green onions.  

Serves 5



Saturday, May 3, 2025

Spicy Sausage and Pumpkin Noodles

 6 oz linguine pasta
1 pound italian sausage (mild or spicy)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
1 bunch green onions, sliced, white and green parts separated
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 Tbsp lime juice
1-2 Tbsp gochujang
1 tsp toasted sesame oil

Cook pasta according to pkg directions, reserving 1 cup pasta water once cooked.  In a large skillet, cook italian sausage. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper and paprika.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage is browned, about 4-5 minutes more.  Place sausage on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb grease.  Wipe out skillet to remove most of the grease.  Leave about 1-2 tsp worth grease in pan.  If there is not that much grease, just add a little EVOO.   Stir in white parts of green onions, jalapeno, and garlic.  Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring frequently to make sure garlic doesn't burn.  Add hoisin sauce, pumpkin, lime juice, gochujang and sesame oil to skillet.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes.  Add pasta and sausage and toss to coat.  Add pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, and stir.  Once you reach desired consistency, stop adding pasta water.  Consistency should not be watery, It should be a thicker liquid.  Garnish with green parts of green onions.  

Serves 4




Wednesday, April 2, 2025

One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

 1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
2 Tbsp EVOO
1/2 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
12 oz brown rice penne pasta
4 cups oat milk
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tomato, seeded and minced
4 thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

In a small bowl, combine the paprika, cayenne, thyme, rosemary, oregano, salt and pepper.  Stir well until combined and set aside.  Season the chicken on both sides with 2 tsp of prepared spice blend.  In a large deep skillet, heat oil over medium high heat.  When hot, add chicken and sear until golden brown and cooked through, 6-8 minutes.  Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and let it rest.  Reduce heat to medium.  Add onions and garlic.  Saute, scraping up any browned bits and stirring until tender, about 3 minutes.  Add pasta, milk and remaining spice blend.  Bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil) and cook, stirring often, until pasta is al dente and the liquid is absorbed and creamy, about 12-15 minutes.  Add chicken, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste as desired.  Top with tomato, green onions, and parmesan cheese.  

Serves 4



Saturday, February 15, 2025

Spinach, Artichoke and Chicken Orzo Skillet

4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness (i like to cut mine into chunks)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp EVOO
1 shallot, halved and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
4 oz cream cheese
Zest of 1/2 lemon
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 cups spinach
1 cup orzo
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
14 oz can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 lemon, cut into wedges 

Preheat oven to 350.  Season both sides of chicken with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.  In large deep oven safe skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.  (It's ok if it's not cooked all the way through as it will continue cooking in oven) Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.  Reduce heat in skillet and add shallot, garlic and red pepper flakes.  Saute for 2 minutes, just until softened.  While whisking, add dijon mustard and 1/2 cup chicken broth.  Continue stirring and cooking until liquid reduces by about half, about 3-4 minutes.  Add cream cheese and stir until smooth.  While stirring, add 2 cups chicken broth, lemon zest and lemon juice.  Next, 2 cups at a time, add spinach to skillet.  Stir to combine and cook until the spinach begins to wilt.  Add orzo, salt, pepper, artichoke hearts, 1/4 cup parmesan and parsley.  Stir to combine.  Place the chicken back into the skillet and top with remaining 1/4 cup parmesan.  Place skillet in oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until orzo is cooked through.  Serve a lemon wedge on each plate.

Serves 4



Friday, February 7, 2025

BLT Chipotle Ranch Pasta Salad

4.5 oz fusilli pasta, cooked according to pkg directions
6 oz bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
2-3 cups roughly chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 Tbsp chopped chives
4-6 oz chipotle ranch salad dressing
**Additional optional topping ideas: avocado, cooked chicken, seasoned taco meat, chopped steak, matchstick carrots, shredded cheddar cheese, cooked and cooled shrimp**

After pasta is cooked, chill for at least 30 minutes.  Add all ingredients (including salad dressing) to large bowl and mix.

Serves 3



Thursday, January 30, 2025

Beef and Mushroom Stuffed Shells

 8 oz jumbo pasta shells
1 pound ground beef
8 oz mushrooms, minced
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
26 oz jar spaghetti sauce (your preferred brand and flavor)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for serving

Preheat oven to 350.  Cook pasta shells according to package directions; drain.  Meanwhile, cook ground beef in large skillet over medium high heat, stirring to break up lumps, until about 80% browned.  Add mushrooms.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are softened and beef is cooked through.  Pour off grease.  Transfer beef mix to a bowl; cool 10 minutes.  Add ricotta, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to beef mixture; stir until combined.  Spread half of the spaghetti sauce in an even layer in bottom of 13x9 baking dish.  Fill each shell with about 1 -2 Tbsp beef mixture.  Arrange shells, filling sides up, in prepared baking dish.  Top with remaining sauce and shredded mozzarella.  Bake until cheese is melted and sauce is bubblin4g at the edges, about 25 minutes.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and parsley.  

Serves 4



Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Sausage and Kale Tortellini Bake

 1 Tbsp EVOO
1/2 pound italian sausage
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1 cup chopped kale
24 oz jar marinara sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
Zest of 1/2 lemon
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
8 oz fresh cheese tortellini (from refrigerated section)
1/2 cup mozzarella
Fresh basil and crushed red pepper flakes for serving

Preheat oven to 375.  In large oven safe skillet, heat oil over medium high heat.  Add italian sausage and onion.  Cook until cooked through and no longer pink, 5-7 minutes.  Drain off excess fat and return to the skillet.  Reduce heat to medium low and add chopped kale, cook, stirring, until it has slightly wilted, about 2 minutes.  Add marinara, broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper and stir until well combined.  Bring to a simmer.  Once simmering, remove from the heat and add tortellini.  Gently stir to combine and spread into an even layer in the skillet.  Top with cheese.  Transfer to oven and bake until the tortellini is tender and cheese is golden brown, about 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cook for 5 minutes.  Garnish with basil and crushed red pepper flakes.

Serves 2



Ahi Tuna Soba Noodles

 9.5 oz soba noodles, dry
2 Tbsp avocado oil
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 jalapenos, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz snow peas
1/2 cup matchstick carrots
1/2 tsp ginger powder
4 Tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce) 
2 Tbsp lime juice
4 (4 oz each) fresh ahi tuna filets
2 Tbsp everything but the bagel seasoning
2 Tbsp avocado oil
1 avocado, sliced
1 lime, sliced into wedges

Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Once boiling, add soba noodles and cook according to package instructions.  Drain, rinse well, and set aside.  Heat a large skillet over medium high heat with avocado oil and sesame oil.  Add jalapenos, garlic, snow peas, carrots and ginger powder.  Saute, stirring, until snow peas are slightly charred and tender, about 4-5 minutes.  Add cooked soba noodles, coconut aminos, and lime juice.  Continue cooking, stirring, until all flavors are combined, 3-4 minutes.  Place everything but the bagel seasoning on a plate and coat both large sides of tuna filets so that it is completely and evenly coated.  Heat a skillet over high heat with 2 Tbsp avocado oil.  Swirl in the pan so oil evenly coats the pan.  The skillet should be very hot.  Sear tuna steaks, about 30 seconds per side for rare and 90 seconds per side for medium rare and warm in the center.  Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for a minute.  Using a very sharp knife, carefully and thinly slice the tuna steaks.  Serve tuna steaks with soba noodle stir fry along with sliced avocado and wedge of lime.  




Saturday, December 7, 2024

Spicy Curried Shrimp and Veggie Couscous

 Curry Sauce:

1 cup plain greek yogurt
2 Tbsp EVOO
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp curry powder
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp cayenne, decrease to 1/4 tsp if you want it more mild

Spicy Curried Couscous:

1 1/2 cups israeli couscous (or orzo pasta)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced into half moons
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
2 Tbsp EVOO

Shrimp:

1 pound peeled deveined and tail off shrimp
1/4 cup curry sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Bring a medium pot of water to boil.  Meanwhile, add all curry sauce ingredients to a large bowl.  Whisk until well combined.  Set 1/4 cup sauce mixture aside in a separate bowl to use for the shrimp later.  Add couscous (or orzo) and cook until al dente according to package directions.  When done, drain then add to the large bowl with curry sauce mixture and toss so that the couscous is well coated.  Add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and cilantro.  In a large skillet, heat EVOO.  Add zucchini, red bell pepper and onion.  Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper and stir.  Cook on med low heat for 3 minutes.  while veggies are cooking, brush shrimp on both sides with reserved marinade and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.  Add shrimp to skillet.  Cook shrimp with veggies until shrimp is cooked through and no longer transparent, about 3-4 minutes (flip shrimp about halfway through cooking process).  

To serve, plate veggies and shrimp on top of couscous.  

Serves 4



Friday, August 2, 2024

Italian Mac and Cheese Bake

 1 pound ground italian sausage
1/2 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
10 oz elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
24 oz four cheese tomato sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
5 oz plain greek yogurt
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350.  In large oven safe skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink.  Add onion and garlic.  Cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add cooked pasta, tomato sauce, and season with salt and pepper.  Stir in yogurt and simmer until well combined.  remove from heat and stir in half of mozzarella.  Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake until cheese is bubbly and golden, about 10 minutes.  

Serves 3



Thursday, May 30, 2024

Chicken Scampi

 8 oz uncooked linguine (or other pasta of your choice)
1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp butter
2 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup drained roasted red peppers, chopped
1 pound fresh thin asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
1 cup chicken broth
1 lemon, zested

Cook pasta as directed on package (don't skip salting the water while cooking pasta!).  Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.  In skillet, heat 1 Tbsp butter over med high heat until melted.  Cook chicken in butter 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add onions, garlic, roasted peppers and asparagus.  Cook 2-3 minutes longer until asparagus is crisp tender and chicken is cooked through.  Stir in broth and remaining 1 Tbsp butter; cook until butter is melted.  Drain pasta. Serve chicken mixture over pasta.  Sprinkle lemon zest over each serving.

Serves 4




Saturday, January 6, 2024

Italian Ramen Skillet

 2 pkgs (3 oz each) beef flavored ramen noodle soup mix
1 pound ground beef
24 slices turkey pepperoni
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained
1 cup water
1 small green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 - 3 oz fresh baby spinach
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

In large skillet, cook beef and pepperoni until beef is browned, drain and return to skillet.  Stir tomatoes, water, both seasoning packets into beef mixture.  Heat to boiling. Stir in noodles, bell pepper and spinach.  Cook 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until noodles are tender.  Sprinkle cheese on dish.  Cover and let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

Serves 4



Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Lamb Ragu Rigatoni

1 Tbsp EVOO
3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup matchstick carrots
1 cup diced fennel
1 pound ground lamb
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp whole fennel seeds, roughly chopped
2 Tbsp tomato paste
14 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 1/4 cup beef stock
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
8 oz dry rigatoni
1 egg
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
1/2 pound fresh salted mozzarella
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Heat EVOO in large skillet.  Add onion, carrots, and fennel.  Saute for 10 minutes or until veggies begin to brown.  Add lamb, garlic and fennel seeds and cook for 8 minutes.  Drain fat and return meat mix to skillet.  Stir in tomato paste, tomatoes, stock, oregano, red pepper flakes, 2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.  Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, partly covered, for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Preheat oven to 350.  Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Once boiling, add 1 Tbsp salt and pasta.  Cook according to package directions, until al dente.  Reserve 1/3 cup pasta water.  Drain pasta.  In a large bowl, whisk together egg and yogurt.  Add pasta and toss well.  Grate 1/4 pound mozzarella into pasta mixture and mix well.  Add pasta to lamb mixture.  Add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper and toss well.  Transfer to 13x9 pan.  Sprinkle with parmesan.  Slice the remaining mozzarella and arrange it on top.  Bake 30-45 minutes, until the sauce is hot and bubbly and some of the pasta is crusty on top. 

Serves 4