Four-Cheese Baked Pasta With Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Serves: 2

Zoie Ernser

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

53

Spice

59

Sweetness

56

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 tbsps

Tomato Paste

Directions:

1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

2

Halve the garlic crosswise to expose the cloves

3

Wrap the bottom half in foil and roast until very soft, about 20 minutes

4

Meanwhile, remove the skins from the top half and chop the garlic

5

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat

6

Add the onion and sliced fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes

7

Add the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, about 2 more minutes

8

Add the tomato paste and 1 teaspoon salt

9

Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, about 3 more minutes

10

Add the tomatoes and 4 cups water; stir

11

Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 30 minutes

12

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil

13

Add the pasta and cook as the label directs

14

Drain, rinse under cold water and set aside

15

Pulse the focaccia in a food processor to make coarse crumbs

16

Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skin and add to the food processor along with 1/4 cup each parmesan and parsley; pulse a few more times until combined

17

Set the breadcrumbs aside

18

Lightly brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil

19

Add the pasta and sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce along with the fennel fronds, mozzarella, asiago and the remaining 1/4 cup each parmesan and parsley; toss

20

Transfer to the prepared baking dish

21

Top with spoonfuls of the ricotta and sprinkle with the breadcrumbs

22

Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake 30 minutes

23

Uncover and continue baking until golden and bubbling, about 15 more minutes

24

Let rest 10 minutes before serving

25

Photograph by Justin Walker