No Boil Baked Pasta

 

1 tablespoon olive oil

6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2-3 C. Mix-ins, in any combination (See ideas below)

12 oz. uncooked rotini pasta (fusilli, farfalle, rigatoni, medium shells, ziti)

24 oz. spaghetti sauce

24 oz. water

2 tablespoons basil pesto

8 oz. shredded Parmesan

8 oz. fresh mozzarella (provolone, fontina, melting cheese)

Kosher salt

fresh cracked pepper

julienne-cut basil, for serving

grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (pecorino, ricotta salata, grating cheese)

 

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add garlic, oregano, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Add pasta, chosen mix-in(s), spaghetti sauce, water, pesto, most of the Parmesan, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover tightly with a lid or tin foil. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Top with freshly torn mozzarella and remaining Parmesan and broil for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and turning golden brown. Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan enjoy!

 

Add-Ins

 

• Italian sausage, crumbled and cooked
• Meatballs, cooked and quartered
• Pepperoni, chopped
• Rotisserie chicken, shredded
• Hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• Roasted red peppers, sliced
• Frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and chopped
• Zucchini, sliced and sauteed
• Mushrooms, sliced and sauteed
• Eggplant, sliced and sauteed
• Fennel, sliced and sauteed
• Spinach, chopped and sauteed
• Escarole, chopped and sauteed
• Black or green pitted olives, chopped