Baked Rigatoni with Bacon and Broccoli
By Judy Kim
Yields:
4
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Jump to recipeThis is a great make ahead dinner. Try assembling the pasta and refrigerating it over night, then just bake it off when you're ready to serve. Many baked pastas use a classic white béchamel sauce, but we're using leftover bacon drippings. (Why waste all that goodness?)
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Ingredients
- 4 oz. bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2" pieces
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, divided
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley, divided
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 lb. fresh mozzarella, chopped
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 lb. rigatoni
- 5 cups broccoli florets
Directions
- Step 1In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to let cool, then move bacon drippings to glass jar, reserving 1 tablespoon in pan.
- Step 2Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix bread crumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 3 tablespoons parsley, and 1 tablespoon bacon drippings, then set aside.
- Step 3Add onions and garlic to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in red pepper flakes. Add flour and milk, whisking until smooth, thick, and bubbling, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan and mozzarella, then slowly add egg, whisking constantly (to prevent scrambled eggs!).
- Step 4Preheat oven to 425°. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook rigatoni 4 minutes less than package directions. Add broccoli and cook 1 minute more, then drain and return to pot. Add creamy mixture, cooked bacon, and remaining parsley and toss to combine. Transfer to a casserole dish or cast-iron skillet and top with bread crumb mixture.
- Step 5Bake until bubbling and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. (If you want it extra crispy, broil 3 minutes.)
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