Angela's Italian Recipe for Castellane with Mascarpone and Roasted Grape Tomatoes

Castellane with Mascarpone and Roasted Grape Tomatoes
(Castellane con il Mascarpone e Pomodori Arrosto)


Ingredients:

2 pints grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise 1 lb Castellane pasta or medium (regular) shells 1 and 1/4 cups mascarpone cheese (from a 1-lb container) 2 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (1 cup) 1/4 cup minced fresh chives

Directions:

Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 400°F.

Line a large shallow baking pan with foil and butter foil.

Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, in pan and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Roast until slightly plumped, 15 to 20 minutes.

Cook pasta in a 6 to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water , stirring occasionally, until 'al dente', about 12 minutes.

Reserve 1 and 1/2 cups pasta cooking water, then drain pasta well and transfer to a large bowl.

Add mascarpone and stir until melted.

Add reserved cooking water, tomatoes, half of Parmigiano cheese, 3 tablespoons chives, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and toss well, then cool to warm.

Butter a 3-quart (13 by 9-inch) gratin or other shallow baking dish.

Toss pasta mixture again, then spoon into gratin dish.

Sprinkle remaining Parmigiano cheese over top.

Bake pasta until golden and bubbly, 18 to 20 minutes.

Sprinkle with remaining tablespoon chives. Makes 6 main-course servings

Note: Pasta can be prepared, but not baked, 3 hours ahead and kept, uncovered, at room temperature.

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