Checca sauce, the heart of Italian-American cuisine, is a rich and flavorful tomato sauce bursting with the essence of Italy. This versatile sauce forms the aromatic foundation for an array of classic dishes, including the beloved pasta alla checca, an irresistible marriage of tender pasta and sumptuous checca sauce. It is a culinary journey to the heart of Italy, where tradition and flavor harmonize to create a taste sensation that transcends time.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
VERONICA'S VEGGIE MEATLOAF WITH CHECCA SAUCE
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 2h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- For the Checca Sauce: Combine the cherry tomatoes, scallions, garlic, basil, and oil in a processor. Pulse the tomatoes until they are coarsely chopped, being careful not to puree. Set aside. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
- For the Lentil Loaf: Place the lentils in a large saucepan of cold water. Bring the water just to a boil over high heat. Carefully drain the boiling water and rinse the lentils. Meanwhile, in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat, bring the broth to a boil. Add the rice and return the liquid to a boil. Decrease the heat to low, cover the rice, and gently simmer without stirring for 10 minutes. Stir in the lentils, onion, carrot, and celery. Cover and continue cooking without stirring until the rice and lentils are tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes longer. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the corn over the rice and lentils and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Cover and let stand for 5 more minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of the butter over a 10 by 4 1/2 by 3-inch loaf pan. In a heavy, large skillet, cook the spinach over medium heat until the spinach wilts, about 3 minutes. Drain and squeeze the excess liquid from the spinach. Transfer the spinach to a work surface and coarsely chop.
- In a large bowl, gently mix the lentil mixture, spinach, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, eggs, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, pepper, and half of the checca sauce. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Arrange the sliced tomatoes in a row over the lentil mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Dot the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Bake uncovered until the loaf is heated through and the topping is melted and starting to brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Slice the loaf into 2-inch slices, arrange on plates, and serve with the remaining checca sauce.
MY MOM'S VEGETABLE "MEATLOAF" WITH CHECCA SAUCE
Provided by Giada De Laurentis
Categories Tomato Bake Vegetarian Dinner Mozzarella Lentil Healthy Brown Rice Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- For the sauce:
- In a food processor, combine the cherry tomatoes, scallions, garlic, basil, oil, salt, and pepper. Pulse the tomatoes until they are coarsely chopped, being careful not to puree them. Transfer the sauce to a bowl.
- For the lentil loaf:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 10 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with vegetable oil cooking spray.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl to cool slightly. Reserve the skillet.
- In the same large skillet, cook the spinach over medium heat until the spinach wilts, about 3 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly. Squeeze the excess liquid from the spinach. Transfer the spinach to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Add to the onion mixture.
- Add the lentils, brown rice, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella, the corn, basil, eggs, egg white, salt, pepper, and 3/4 cup of the sauce to the cooled onion mixture. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Arrange the sliced tomatoes in 2 rows over the lentil mixture, covering the top completely. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Bake until the loaf is heated through and the topping is melted and starting to brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Slice the loaf (still in the pan) into 1-inch slices, arrange on plates, and serve with the remaining sauce.
CHECCA SAUCE
Steps:
- In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the cherry tomatoes, scallions, garlic, Parmesan, basil, and oil just until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped (do not purée). Transfer the sauce to a large bowl. Stir in the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper to taste. Toss the sauce immediately with your choice of freshly cooked pasta.
SPAGHETTI WITH CHECCA SAUCE
This appealing, meatless main dish from Angela Strother of Gainesville, Florida is full of cheesy, tomato flavor. "If you want it saucier, add a bit of the reserved pasta water," Angela suggests.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the oil, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, basil, onions, garlic, salt and pepper; cover and process until coarsely chopped. , Drain spaghetti and place in a bowl. Add the tomato mixture, mozzarella cheese and water; toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 564 calories, Fat 29g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 44mg cholesterol, Sodium 638mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
SPAGHETTINI WITH CHECCA SAUCE
I saw this recipe on Everyday Italian and simply had to try it right away! I am so glad I did too, because it was fabulous! It is a no cook sauce and all the ingredients are fresh, so easy and so light you will hardly believe it! I can easily see this sauce use on bruchetta, or as an accompiment served with crackers. I hope you will enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
Provided by Bev I Am
Categories Spaghetti
Time 23m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often.
- Meanwhile, combine the next 7 ingredients in a food processor.
- Pulse just until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped (do not puree).
- Drain pasta, reserving some of the pasta water.
- Toss the pasta with the tomato mixture and fresh mozzarella in a large bowl.
- Add some of the reserved water (about 1/4 cup) if the sauce looks dry.
- Serve immeidately.
- Serves 4.
VERONICA'S VEGGIE MEATLOAF WITH CHECCA SAUCE
Steps:
- For the Checca Sauce: Combine the cherry tomatoes, scallions, garlic, basil, and oil in a processor. Pulse the tomatoes until they are coarsely chopped, being careful not to puree. Set aside. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. For the Lentil Loaf: Place the lentils in a large saucepan of cold water. Bring the water just to a boil over high heat. Carefully drain the boiling water and rinse the lentils. Meanwhile, in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat, bring the broth to a boil. Add the rice and return the liquid to a boil. Decrease the heat to low, cover the rice, and gently simmer without stirring for 10 minutes. Stir in the lentils, onion, carrot, and celery. Cover and continue cooking without stirring until the rice and lentils are tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes longer. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the corn over the rice and lentils and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Cover and let stand for 5 more minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread 1 tablespoon of the butter over a 10 by 4 1/2 by 3-inch loaf pan. In a heavy, large skillet, cook the spinach over medium heat until the spinach wilts, about 3 minutes. Drain and squeeze the excess liquid from the spinach. Transfer the spinach to a work surface and coarsely chop. In a large bowl, gently mix the lentil mixture, spinach, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, eggs, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, pepper, and half of the checca sauce. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Arrange the sliced tomatoes in a row over the lentil mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Dot the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Bake uncovered until the loaf is heated through and the topping is melted and starting to brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Slice the loaf into 2-inch slices, arrange on plates, and serve with the remaining checca sauce.
CHECCA SAUCE
Make and share this Checca Sauce recipe from Food.com.
Provided by CJAY8248
Categories Low Protein
Time 5m
Yield 2 1/2 cups, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine in food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped, being careful not to puree. Season with salt and pepper.
VEGGIE MEATLOAF WITH CHECCA SAUCE
Steps:
- For the Checca Sauce: Combine the cherry tomatoes, scallions, garlic, basil and oil in a processor. Pulse the tomatoes until they are coarsely chopped, being careful not to puree. Set aside. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Lentil Loaf: Place the lentils in a large saucepan of cold water. Bring the water just to a boil over high heat. Carefully drain the boiling water and rinse the lentils. Meanwhile, in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat, bring the broth to a boil. Add the rice and return the liquid to a boil. Decrease the heat to low, cover the rice, and gently simmer without stirring for 10 minutes. Stir in the lentils, onions, carrot and celery. Cover and continue cooking without stirring until the rice and lentils are tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes longer. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the corn over the rice and lentils and let stand, covered for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Cover and let stand for 5 more minutes. Spread 1 tablespoon of the butter over a 10 by 4 1/2 by 3 inch loaf pan. In a heavy, large skillet, cook the spinach over medium heat until the spinach wilts, about 3 minutes. Drain and squeeze the excess liquid from the spinach. Transfer the spinach to a work surface and coarsely chop. In a large bowl, gently mix the lentil mixture, spinach 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, eggs, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, basil, salt, pepper and half of the checca sauce. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Arrange the sliced tomatoes in a row over the lentil mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Dot the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
TAGLIOLINI WITH UNCOOKED TOMATO SAUCE (TAGLIOLINI ALLA CHECCA)
a fabulous fresh pasta sauce. When its to hot for a heavy meal its perfect. You can of course buy fresh pasta rather than make but the directions for making it are included. From Osteria del Circo. Note, if buffalo mozzarella is not available then the bocconcini mozzarella in the tub of water is a great substitute. Just make sure whatever one you use, its fresh wet mozzarella. Time includes making your own pasta, otherwise its all about 5 minutes minus the marinade overnight of the tomatoes
Provided by MarraMamba
Categories < 30 Mins
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- for the pasta:.
- Knead everything together. Roll the pasta and cut by hand into tagliolini, long, paper-thin ribbon noodles, about 1/8 inch wide or less.
- For the sauce:.
- Marinate the diced tomatoes with the garlic, bay leaf, basil, salt and pepper and extra virgin olive oil overnight. Cook the tagliolini al dente in salted, boiling water, drain and plate. Top with the marinated tomato mixture, some freshly julienned basil and the buffalo mozzarella.
Tips:
- Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes. This is the key to making a great checca sauce. Look for tomatoes that are deep red and have a slight give when you gently squeeze them.
- Use fresh herbs. Fresh basil, oregano, and thyme are the classic herbs used in checca sauce. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but be sure to use half the amount.
- Don't overcook the sauce. Checca sauce should be simmered gently for 30-45 minutes, or until the tomatoes have softened and the sauce has thickened. Overcooking the sauce will make it lose its flavor.
- Season the sauce to taste. Checca sauce should be well-seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta. Checca sauce is traditionally served over penne pasta, but it can also be served over other types of pasta, such as spaghetti, macaroni, or ravioli.
Conclusion:
Checca sauce is a delicious, versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you're serving it over pasta, chicken, or vegetables, checca sauce is sure to be a hit. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give checca sauce a try. You won't be disappointed!
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