It is a hearty, rustic, warm-you-from-the-inside baked pasta casserole. It’s what to make when the climate report icons are snowflakes or thunderclouds. Mustard notes reduce into the starchy goodness of potatoes and pasta. Dueling cheeses bridge all of the parts, and shredded cabbage and leeks ship winter inexperienced. It’s the kind of factor you possibly can prep a day or two forward of time, then bake when handy. The kind of meals that pairs effectively with a stormy night time.
Why I Love This Recipe
Let’s break it down a bit. The factor that makes this recipe particular is arguably the play between the starchiness of the pasta and potatoes and the extra intense chew of the mustard. You’ll be able to, after all, modify the quantity of mustard to your liking. The quantity notice down beneath is straight up the center. It’s neither meek or assertive as soon as the casserole is baked. However have in mind, the kind of mustard additionally, you will be an element. What I am attempting to say is: be happy to regulate to your tastes.
You’ll be able to see the chop of the cabbage within the picture up above. However notice, you possibly can reduce it extra finely for those who just like the cabbage to mix in additional. Alternately, you may go together with wider ribbons for those who just like the cabbage part extra pronounced. You’ll be able to see the pasta part beneath – earlier than boiling and after.
Baked Pasta: Serving Concepts
This begs to be served alongside a giant inexperienced salad. One thing like this kale salad. Or, this Anna Jones salad is at all times a success. In case you’re up some one thing a bit surprising and completely superior, this cilantro salad is your transfer.
If a salad feels too bold, roast some broccoli whereas the casserole is baking, and do a roasted model of this Broccoli Apple Salad. This roasted broccoli can also be at all times fast to vanish. And one final thought, if you will have any kale chips readily available, I like to bathe the baked pasta with them earlier than serving.
Inspiration and Variations
Like most casseroles or lasagnas, this can be a little bit of a undertaking. However, ultimately, there’s a good quantity of meals to take pleasure in, and the leftovers are nice. There are additionally countless methods to tweak it.
- Child-friendly: You probably have children, I think about a model with macaroni elbows might work.
- Buckwheat Pizzoccheri: The inspiration for at this time’s recipe got here from a buckwheat casserole I’d make from The Martha Stewart Residing Christmas Cookbook (purple cowl version). She used a buckwheat pizzoccheri and savoy cabbage. The inspiration was doubtless the favored northern Italian pizzoccheri dish that includes conventional buckwheat pasta of the area, cabbage, cheese and a beneficiant quantity of butter. Her model is baked and has served as an important leaping off level over time. You will see within the recipe that I name for farro tagliatelle, however you may have success with a variety of pasta shapes and kinds. For instance, fettuccine, penne, damaged lasagne, and many others. And you’ll experiment past farro – entire wheat pastas, buckwheat, spelt, they’re going to all work properly right here.
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts: I wish to make the Brussels Sprouts “Slaw” with Mustard Butter from The Important New York Occasions Cookbook (purple cowl). I can think about utilizing sprouts rather than the cabbage right here for those who’re extra of a sprout fan, or if that’s what you occur to have readily available.