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

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.