Pesto Marinara Spaghetti Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until the garlic is golden around the edges, about 3 minutes. Add the onion, oregano and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the onion is soft but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices and 1/2 cup water; continue cooking until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 20 minutes. Stir in the basil and season with salt. Keep warm over low heat.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Add the pasta to the sauce along with the butter and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Increase the heat to medium and toss to coat, adding the remaining cooking water as needed to loosen the sauce. Transfer the pasta to bowls and drizzle with olive oil.

Steps:

• Transfer the tomatoes and liquid to a bowl and gently crush the tomatoes with your hands.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan, set over moderate heat until hot. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and liquid, tomato sauce, basil, salt, and red pepper flakes, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta. Drain the pasta and transfer to a large bowl. Add sauce and toss to coat. Top with cheese. Serve with a green salad and crusty bread.
• Variations: Mushroom Marinara Sauce: After onion and garlic have softened, add 1/2 pound fresh sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Continue with recipe as above.
• Tuna Marinara Sauce: Add 1 can Italian tuna, packed in oil, including oil, after sauce has simmered 10 minutes, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
• Sausage Marinara Sauce: After onion and garlic have been softened, add 1/2 pound crumbled Italian (sweet or hot) sausage and cook, stirring, until no longer pink. Add tomatoes and continue with recipe as above.

Steps:

• Set a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat it to 400°F.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Parmesan, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.
• In a separate bowl, toss the pasta with the pesto or herb sauce.
• Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet (or other nonstick oven-safe pan) over medium heat. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet, then nestle in the pasta.
• Cook, undisturbed, until the frittata is set around the edges but still looks wet on the surface, about 5 minutes. Slide the frittata into the oven and bake until the top is set, about 10 minutes.
• Serve the frittata warm or at room temperature, with more pesto or herb sauce on the side.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare the pesto: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, tomato paste, garlic and red-pepper flakes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until mixture is toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to let cool for a few minutes.
• Add the roasted red peppers and Parmesan to a food processor. Top with the cooled tomato mixture and the remaining 2/3 cup olive oil, and pulse the mixture until you form a paste. (It makes 2 cups.)
• Season the boiling water generously with salt, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, then drain the pasta.
• Return the pasta to the pot, along with about 1 1/2 cups of the red pesto and 1 cup of the pasta water, and stir vigorously until the sauce is glossy and the pasta is evenly coated. Stir in additional pesto or pasta water to taste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide among bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan and top with torn basil. Shave some fresh lemon zest on top, if using. Serve immediately.