BLT Mac 'n' cheese
By á-2304
Ingredients
- Salt
- 1 pound ziti or macaroni
- EVOO
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 leeks - trimmed, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise
- 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 teaspon crushed red pepper
- 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 6 oz. cream cheese, cut into pieces
- 1 1/2 cups shredded asiago or parmigiano-reggiano cheese
- 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 1 cup basil leaves, torn
- juice of 1/2 lemon
Details
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
While pasta cooks, drizzle EVOO into large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until c rsip at the edges, 3-5 minutes. Add the leeks and cook for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Strin in the tomato paste. Stir in cream cheese until melted, then the reserved pasta cooking water.
Add the pasta to the sauce and toss. Pile into a casserole and top with tomatoes and remaining cheese. Bake until browned on top, 7-8 minutes. In a large bowl, toss the arugula and basil with the lemon juice and a drizzle of EVOO. Serve on top of the pasta.
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