Hearty Asparagus Orecchiette Bake with Wisconsin Cheeses
Indulge in the delightful flavors of our Hearty Asparagus Orecchiette Bake, a comforting and nutritious pasta dish that pays homage to the richness of Wisconsin's dairy products. This recipe, inspired by a local feature on the Fox Morning news, brings together tender asparagus, sweet tomatoes, and a medley of melt-in-your-mouth cheeses to create a luxurious culinary experience right in your kitchen. The orecchiette, perfectly paired with a splash of white wine and fresh basil, is sure to impress your family and friends while being budget-friendly! Dive into this warm, cheesy dish that feels like fine dining, served right from your oven to your plate!
N/A
Servings
255
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Asparagus
1/2-1 lb (tough ends snapped off and cut into 3-4 inch pieces)
Shallots or Green Onions
2 or 1 bunch (diced)
Garlic
1 clove (diced (or more, to taste))
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Yellow Tomatoes or Plum Tomatoes
2 large (peeled and chopped)
Italian White Wine
1/2 cup (none)
Chicken Broth
1/2 cup (homemade or canned)
Fresh Basil
1/2 cup (cut into chiffonade)
Orecchiette Pasta
8.5 ounces (cooked to al dente)
Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 cup (shredded (more if desired))
Provolone Cheese
1/2 cup (shredded (more if desired))
Grated Parmesan Cheese
3 tablespoons (more if desired)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the asparagus and blanch for 3-5 minutes, until bright green and tender. Remove from the heat, drain, and cool under cold water. Cut the asparagus into 3-4 inch pieces and set aside.
3
In a large saucepan or deep skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced shallots (or green onions) and minced garlic, sautéing until they are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
4
Incorporate the chopped tomatoes and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and release their juices.
5
Pour in the white wine and chicken broth, increasing the heat to high. Allow the mixture to boil and reduce by about 1/4, which should take around 5 minutes.
6
Reduce the heat to medium and fold in the asparagus pieces. Cook for another 2 minutes, mixing gently.
7
Stir in the fresh basil and mix well to combine all ingredients.
8
Add the cooked orecchiette to the skillet, tossing to evenly coat the pasta with the sauce.
9
Gently fold in the shredded mozzarella, provolone, and grated parmesan cheese, ensuring they melt and integrate into the pasta.
10
Transfer the mixture into a lightly oiled baking dish and spread it out evenly.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
12
Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious creation!
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
27.5g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this dish?
The dish is called Hearty Asparagus Orecchiette Bake with Wisconsin Cheeses.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 8.5 ounces of orecchiette pasta, cooked to al dente.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How long should the asparagus be blanched?
The asparagus should be blanched in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes until bright green and tender.
What size should the asparagus pieces be cut into?
The asparagus should be cut into 3 to 4 inch pieces after removing the tough ends.
Can I substitute shallots in this recipe?
Yes, you can use one bunch of green onions as a substitute for the two shallots.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 1 diced clove of garlic, or more to taste.
What kind of oil is used for sauteing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
Which tomatoes are recommended for this bake?
You can use 2 large yellow tomatoes or plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped.
What kind of wine is included in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of Italian white wine.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of homemade or canned chicken broth.
How much should the wine and broth mixture be reduced?
The mixture should be boiled and reduced by about 1/4, which takes approximately 5 minutes.
How should the fresh basil be prepared?
The 1/2 cup of fresh basil should be cut into a chiffonade.
What are the three Wisconsin cheeses used?
The dish features a medley of shredded mozzarella, shredded provolone, and grated parmesan cheese.
How much mozzarella cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella, but you can add more if desired.
How much provolone cheese is required?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of shredded provolone, with the option to add more.
How much parmesan cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese.
How long does the dish bake in the oven?
The orecchiette bake should stay in the oven for 20 minutes.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The dish is ready when the top is golden and bubbly.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains 255 calories.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The recipe contains 12.5g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 27.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content?
The dish provides 10g of protein per serving.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
While tagged as vegetarian, it uses chicken broth; you can substitute with vegetable broth to make it strictly vegetarian.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a local feature on the Fox Morning news.
How should I prepare the baking dish?
The mixture should be transferred into a lightly oiled baking dish and spread evenly.
How long should the shallots and garlic be sauteed?
They should be sauteed over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes until translucent.
How long do the tomatoes need to cook?
The chopped tomatoes should be cooked for 4 to 5 minutes until they soften and release their juices.
When do you add the asparagus back into the pan?
The asparagus is folded in after the liquid mixture has been reduced, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
Should the dish cool before serving?
Yes, let the bake cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before serving.