Helpful Information
Type of Recipe: Main Dish
Ingredients:
1 pound box Cavatappi Pasta (curly pasta)
4 tablespoons Butter
1 1/4 cups diced Onions
1/4 cup minced, fresh Basil
1/4 cup minced fresh Oregano
1 cup diced Red Bell Pepper
3 tablespoons Flour
1 1/4 cups Whole Milk
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
2 cups cubed Cheddar
1 1/3 cubed Smoked Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup shredded Smoked Chipotle Cheddar Cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
Paprika
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta al dente. Cool under cold water and drain. Pour pasta into casserole dish. Cover to prevent drying.
- In a skillet over med-high heat, melt 2 Tbs. butter. Add onion, green and red bell peppers and sauté for 5 minutes. Add basil, oregano and ground pork. Mix while cooking until the pork is finely crumbled.
- In a separate saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining 2 Tbs. butter. Add flour and cook for 1 minute while stirring. Add milk, cream, regular cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and cook until the cheeses melt and the sauce comes to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until sauce thickens. Add salt, cayenne and black pepper.
- In the casserole dish, mix together the pasta with the pork mixture, then cover with the cheese sauce. Top with chipotle cheddar and parmesan cheeses, cover and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F. Remove cover in the last 10 – 15 minutes of cooking to brown the top. Remove from oven, sprinkle with paprika and serve.