Corkscrew in the Oven Recipe Guide

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Corkscrew in the Oven

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Equipment

• Equipment Needed: Large pot, casserole dish, skillet, oven

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients:
• 400 g 14 oz cavatappi or corkscrew pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 250 g 9 oz Italian sausage (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 800 g 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil or 2 tablespoons fresh
• 200 g 7 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• 50 g 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs for topping
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Step-by-Step Method:
• Cook the Pasta:
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cavatappi until just al dente (firm to the bite), as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
• Prepare the Sauce:
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the sausage, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned.
• Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes.
• Combine Pasta and Sauce:
• Mix the cooked pasta with the sauce, ensuring every piece is coated.
• Assemble the Dish:
• Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a casserole dish lightly with olive oil. Layer the pasta-sauce mixture into the dish. Top with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and optional breadcrumbs for crunch.
• Bake:
• Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
• Variations:
• Vegetarian: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free corkscrew pasta and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Spicy Twist: Add red chili flakes to the sauce for a kick.
• Extra Creamy: Stir 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese into the sauce before baking.
• Tips:
• Undercook your pasta slightly, as it will absorb sauce while baking.
• For a smoky flavor, try smoked mozzarella instead of regular.

Keyword Corkscrew in the Oven

Corkscrew pasta, known as cavatappi in Italian, is popular for its ability to hold sauces and add texture to baked dishes. This dish is inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Southern Italy, where baked pasta recipes are comforting staples of family meals. Let me show you how I make this hearty, cheesy “Corkscrew in the Oven,” perfect for beginners yet packed with bold Italian flavors.

Notes on What to Expect:

This dish combines the robust flavors of a rich tomato sauce, melty cheese, and perfectly baked pasta. The breadcrumbs add a satisfying crunch, while the cavatappi holds the sauce beautifully.

Recipe Details:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Time to Stand: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Ease of Cooking: Beginner-friendly
• Servings: 6
• Calories per Serving: ~480
• Cost of Ingredients: Moderate ($15-$20, depending on your pantry staples)
• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Main Dish
• Equipment Needed: Large pot, casserole dish, skillet, oven
• > Go get the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Corkscrew in the Oven  now.

Ingredients:

• 400g (14 oz) cavatappi or corkscrew pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 250g (9 oz) Italian sausage (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil (or 2 tablespoons fresh)
• 200g (7 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 50g (2 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs for topping
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• > Go get the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Corkscrew in the Oven  now.

Step-by-Step Method:

1. Cook the Pasta:
   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the cavatappi until just al dente (firm to the bite), as it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the sausage, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned.
   • Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
   • Mix the cooked pasta with the sauce, ensuring every piece is coated.
4. Assemble the Dish:
   • Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a casserole dish lightly with olive oil. Layer the pasta-sauce mixture into the dish. Top with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and optional breadcrumbs for crunch.
5. Bake:
   • Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Variations:

• Vegetarian: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free corkscrew pasta and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Spicy Twist: Add red chili flakes to the sauce for a kick.
• Extra Creamy: Stir 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese into the sauce before baking.
• > Go get the must-have equipment and ingredients for creating a Savory  #Corkscrew in the Oven  now.

Tips:

• Undercook your pasta slightly, as it will absorb sauce while baking.
• For a smoky flavor, try smoked mozzarella instead of regular.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: ~480
• Protein: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 6g

I hope this guide has made preparing “Corkscrew in the Oven” a little less daunting! Have you tried this dish before? Please, be honest, and let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear feedback from a real person like you, so please, leave your honest comment!