- 6
Ingredients
- Salt
- 1 pound ziti rigati pasta
- Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), for drizzling
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 leeks—trimmed, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise
- 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- Two 3-ounce bricks cream cheese, cut into pieces
- 1 1/2 cups shredded asiago, grana padano or parmigiano-reggiano cheese
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
Preparation
Step 1
1.Preheat the oven to 500°. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water.
2.While the pasta is working, in a large skillet, heat a drizzle of EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp at the edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the leeks and cook until softened, 3 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute. Stir in the cream cheese until melted. Stir in half of the shredded cheese, then the reserved pasta cooking water.
3.Add the pasta to the sauce and toss. Pile into a casserole and top with the tomatoes and remaining shredded cheese. Bake until browned on top, 7 to 8 minutes.