pasta and white beans gratin

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 cups uncooked pasta shells
• 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 (15 ounce) cans white beans
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 50 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 10 mins


• bring a large pot of water to a boil. cook pasta in boiling water until done. drain, and set aside. meanwhile mince basil and garlic with parmesan cheese. transfer to a medium bowl, and mix with 1 teaspoon olive oil. mix in ricotta.
• in a saucepan, cook onions with thyme and bay leaf in 1 tablespoon olive oil. stir in beans and balsamic vinegar, and simmer for 20 minutes. season to taste with salt and pepper.
• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). combine beans, tomatoes, and pasta in a well oiled 2 quart casserole dish. place spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture in the pasta and beans, and press down to cover. in a small bowl, moisten bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and sprinkle over casserole.
• bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.