Friday, August 28, 2009

Penne with Tomatoes, Olives and Two Cheeses


This is such a huge hit in my family, that it was the first meal I made for my husband when he returned home from Iraq after being deployed for an entire year. Since the kids went back to school this week, I needed to make something really special.

So, when my daughter was busy getting "married", I had plenty of time to whip this up.


Penne with Tomatoes, Olives and Two Cheeses
{Bon Appétit February 1995} Yes, I've been making this for 14 years !

6 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 (28-ounce) cans Italian plum tomatoes, drained
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons dried crushed red pepper
2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
1 pound penne or rigatoni
2 1/2 cups packed grated Havarti cheese
1/3 cup sliced pitted brine-cured olives (such as Kalamata)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomatoes, dried basil and crushed red pepper. Bring to boil, breaking up tomatoes with back of spoon. Add broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer and mixture thickens to chunky sauce and is reduced to 6 cups, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over low heat before continuing.)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain well.

Return pasta to same pot. Toss with 3 tablespoons oil. Pour sauce over and toss to blend. Mix in Havarti cheese. Transfer pasta to 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle with olives, then Parmesan. Bake until pasta is heated through, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with basil.




28 comments:

Karen Harris said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog which led me back to yours. I love your photos and recipes. Wonderful blog!

Jboo said...

That looks yummy!! Will definitely give it a try! I need all the cooking help I can get. Have a great weekend!

Janet

LuLu said...

That's my favorite recipe! I am so thrilled that your princess loves her wedding dress i gave her!!!
happy Friday,
LuLu

DT ~ RDH said...

Wow, that sounds great ~ thanks for sharing!

Jo said...

This looks so yummy!
It would be perfect for the up coming cool New England falls we have here in Connecticut. The best part is that I could make it ahead for those long days in the classroom.

Jo

Kristin said...

Ok...can I say yummmmmmmmmm!
Happy day to you.

Unknown said...

Love the recipe!!! Oh yes and the wedding.

Cynthia

Meta said...

On my trip to the grocer after work, I purchased several of these items, thinking of creating a pasta dish - think I now know what to make and how to make it (just need a couple more items) and I hope mine looks as good as your pic! :)

Meta

Queen B. said...

Meta !
OOOooo......let me know if you make it and if you like it as much as we do !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reeni said...

Your daughter is so precious! And this pasta so delicious! Yummy comfort food!

Velva said...

This is a great comforting kind of dish. I can see why it is special. Yum!

Anonymous said...

oooohhh! looks yummy! thanks for sharing!

wife.mom.nurse said...

hello!

What a lovely princess bride.

You are a wonderful photographer!

I am so tired of jarred marinara that I almost don't even want to eat pasta any more...

But your sounds so YUMMY!!

Kathy Walker said...

Lovely post! I have been searching for a pasta recipe..time for comfort food at my house. No, it isn't cold...just a stressful week!

Lovely princess bride! How fun.

Queen B. said...

Kate,
Ooohh ! If you're looking for 'comfort', look no farther !
That's exactly what this dish is...it feels like a great big hug ! That's why I made it... I wanted my hubby to feel comfy and safe when he returned !
I hope you try it, and if you do, let me know if you like it as much as I do !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

theUngourmet said...

What a great looking dish! I can see why it's been a favorite for so long!

Your little bride is darling! ;0)

jamie said...

Hi! This recipe would be a huge hit at our house. I think I'll be making it very soon! Your princess bride is adorable too!
Thanks for leaving such a thoughtful comment at my blog! I am off to explore more of your yummy looking recipes and beautiful photos!

Mary @ Framed and Tagged said...

Your blog is very uplifting!...all the photos of happy children playing in the ocean and all your wonderful recipes!!..I will have to try this one...it looks delicious!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Looks and sounds delicious!
Brenda

Meta said...

I had it for dinner tonight! This is the first time I have EVER prepared a recipe from a blog but I followed it pretty closely - could not find the plum tomatoes so used some other tomatoes that I have tried before....I am so happy to report it tastes amazing! Taking some into work in the morning to share w some of my special coworkers! They will think I am a great cook, lol!

Thanks for posting and I am ready to try more of your recipes.. :)

Meta

I didn't photography it but will try to take a pic when I warm it up tomorrow...

Queen B. said...

META !
I'm clapping out loud ! Do you know why ?? Because I'ms sooooo happy you liked it too !! It's not just me !!
Yahooooooo !!
It's sooooooo yummy...and the best part is..........leftovers are just as good !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meta said...

It really is THAT good - I have tried different pasta recipes from cookbooks over the years, but am not really known as a great cook! (Known more for my creative side - jewelry, photos...) This time it is for a wonderful dish to share - thank you!!!!! :) Sending love and warmth your way from Florida!

Meta

Mary Ann said...

How adorable- I love the pics of your daughter playing.
This dinner looks fab and if you have been making it for that many years it must be!

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

Looks so appetising and delish. I would eat this for 14 years! LOL. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.

Anonymous said...

Yum!!!This looks really good. I will have to make it for Hubs or maybe I will wait until I can eat sauce again so I can have some too.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

This sounds delicious and just the homemade meal I'm sure your husband was craving. I love old favorites.

Thanks for visiting my kitchen which allowed me to find your blog. I miss my kitchen by the sea very much and I enjoyed visiting yours.
Sam

Anonymous said...

We have made this twice and it is one of our family's new favorites. Definitely is better as a left over!!!!

Queen B. said...

Anonomyous-
I'M SOOO GLAD you like it as much as we do !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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