Chief Miller's Baked Pasta
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING CHIEF MILLER AT THE RECENT FDIC CONVENTION IN INDIANAPOLIS. CHIEF MILLER IS THE "KING" OF FIRE RELATED CONTENT ON INSTAGRAM SO I JUST KNEW WE HAD TO WORK TOGETHER. HE TOLD ME HIS FAVORITE FIREHOUSE DISH AND WE AGREED I WOULD COME UP WITH A WAY TO MAKE IT A LITTLE HEALTHIER WHILE KEEPING THE SAME GREAT FLAVORS, SOMETHING WE LOVE TO DO HERE AT F&H CO.
"RIT" stands for "Rapid Intervention Team", whose role on the fire-ground is to search for firefighters in distress. So we took Chief Miller's dish and had a "Recipe Intervention Team" deployed. Im in the stages of trademarking that term so don't even think about it!
Fork and Hose Co. "RIT" Version
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
1 VIDALIA ONION, skewered and sliced
1 ZUCCHINI, halved lengthwise
1 SMALL BUTTERNUT SQUASH, peeled and cut into 1/2" thick slices
1 BELL PEPPER, cored and cut into quarters
SMALL PACKAGE OF CHERRY TOMATOES, halved
3 TURKEY SAUSAGE LINKS
1 LB. WHOLE WHEAT PENNE, or shape of your choice
16 OZ. CAN CRUSHED TOMATO
3 GARLIC CLOVES, PEELED
OLIVE OIL
BAG OF LOW FAT SHREDDED MOZZARELLA
PARSLEY FOR GARNISH
PROCEDURE:
The use of butternut squash helps reduce the amount of pasta needed in the traditional dish. We are also able to save calories by using turkey sausage.
Set a grill on medium heat. Toss the all the vegetables except the garlic in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika and chili powder. Place veggies and sausage on the grill and remove to a bowl as they cook. They will cook at different rates so be careful not to overcook the veggies.
While everything is grilling, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. When the vegetables and sausage are done, chop everything and set aside.
Add some olive oil and the garlic to a small sauce pan over medium-low heat. When the garlic is browned add your tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Add your tomato sauce to the same bowl and gently stir to combine. Add the pasta to the water and cook until al dente. Add a few tablespoons of pasta water to the bowl of veggies. Drain the pasta and add to the bowl as well as 1/2 the cheese, stir to combine.
Add the pasta/veggie/sausage mixture to a 8"x13" baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Place under the broiler to brown cheese, garnish with parsley and serve.
