Pasta bake in the Ninja Crispi

To recycle weekend leftovers, a Ninja Crispi pasta bake is a must. I use the 3.8 L glass container of my appliance to combine cooked pasta, a generous sauce, and a good dose of cheese. The direct heat browns the surface very evenly.

This meal is part of my Sunday routine. I assemble everything in the container, cook, serve, and put on the storage lid once the dish is completely cold to keep the remainder in the fridge. It is the organization from my catering years adapted to my small studio.

Pasta bake in the Ninja Crispi

Recipe by Marion LundCourse: Main courseCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

people

Prep

15

minutes

Cook

25

minutes

Total time

40

minutes

A clever assembly of pre-cooked pasta and cheese, designed for the 3.8 L container and conceived to avoid unnecessary washing up.

Ingredients

• 400 g macaroni or penne, already cooked

• 400 g crushed tomato sauce

• 200 ml full-fat liquid cream

• 150 g smoked lardons (optional)

• 1 clove of garlic, minced

• 150 g grated mozzarella

• 50 g grated parmesan

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

• In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, tomato sauce, cream, lardons, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Generously coat each piece of pasta with this liquid so they remain tender.
• Transfer everything to the 3.8 L container, without the crisper plate. Cover evenly with mozzarella and parmesan to protect the mixture from direct heat.
• Install the adapter and the PowerPod on the container. Select the Roast mode (or Bake at 190 °C on the 5-mode Pro) for 20 to 25 minutes, then press START. The dish is ready when the top is golden and the centre is steaming hot (75 °C on a thermometer).
• Remove the PowerPod. Let the dish rest 5 minutes uncovered before serving. This brief moment allows the mixture to set slightly.

Vegetarian version

Leave out the lardons and add 2 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1 tbsp capers to the mix. Same cooking time.

The mandatory use of pre-cooked pasta

This family dish requires the 3.8 L container. It provides the necessary space to spread the layers and allows the heat from the Roast mode to warm the center without burning the surface. I always start from cooked pasta: cooking raw pasta in the container is not documented anywhere.

On the various appliances in the range, the setting adapts according to the available functions:

• Crispi: 3.8 L container with the adapter, Roast mode for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Crispi Pro: set the Roast mode to 190 °C for the same duration.
• 5-mode Pro: Roast mode does not exist, select the Bake mode at 190 °C.

The large quantity of liquid sauce prevents the whole dish from drying out under the airflow. You can see the progress of the dish directly through the glass wall, which helps you follow the browning while the centre heats through.

Setting the bake according to your appliance

The success of this dish is judged by its surface. The cheese should bubble vigorously and form a very even golden crust. If the center remains cold or the bottom is too liquid, the heat has not had time to warm the whole thing through. Put the PowerPod back, add a few minutes and press START, watching the colour.

The most extreme mistake is putting raw pasta and water in the container: nothing guarantees it will cook. Always use leftover cooked pasta or prepare it in a pan just before assembling the dish. Parchment paper is not allowed in the basic Crispi containers.

Lack of sauce is the second trap. The top heat dries out exposed food very quickly. You must imperatively coat your macaroni with the tomato and liquid cream. The mozzarella topping acts as a shield and protects the rest of the preparation.

Organization and reheating without breaking

The whole appeal of the range is the ability to cook, serve, and store in the same glass element. After the meal, wait for complete cooling at room temperature before closing with the supplied plastic storage lid.

The next day, remove the lid, warm the dish in the microwave first (without the crisper plate), then run a Recrisp cycle of 5 to 12 minutes with the adapter and the PowerPod to crisp the top again. If it looks dry, pour a drizzle of water over the crust before microwaving, while the glass is still cold.

What is your favourite addition to spice up this rustic dish?

Frequently asked questions

Can I cook my pasta directly in the Ninja Crispi?

No: cooking raw pasta in the container is not documented anywhere. Always use leftovers from the day before or cook them separately.

Can I use the 1.4 L container for this recipe?

Yes, for 1 to 2 people. Divide the quantities by two and use the 1.4 L container without an adapter. The cooking time in Roast mode will be slightly shorter, keep an eye on it through the glass starting at 15 minutes.

How do I reheat leftovers without drying them out?

Warm the dish in the microwave first (without the crisper plate), then use Recrisp for 5 to 12 minutes. If the top looks dry, add a little liquid before microwaving.