Name: Baked Orecchiette with Bacon Breadcrumbs
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 - 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 4 tbsp. salted butter, plus more for the baking dish; 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1 lb. orecchiette pasta; 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained; 1 tsp. black pepper; 2 oz. cream cheese; 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour; 3 c. whole milk; 2 c. monterey jack cheese, grated; 4 slices bacon, chopped; 2 tbsp. salted butter; 1 1/2 c. panko; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 1 c. grated parmesan cheese

Step 1For the pasta: Preheat the oven to 375˚. Butter a 9-by-13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, then drain and set aside.

Step 2Meanwhile, for the bacon breadcrumbs: Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a medium bowl, leaving the fat in the pan. Add the butter to the pan and let melt, then add the panko and salt and stir to coat. Cook, stirring, until the panko is a light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add to the bowl with the bacon. Let cool slightly, then toss with the parmesan. Set aside.

Step 3Make the sauce: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the empty pasta pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and spinach and cook until the spinach has released any remaining liquid, about 5 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.

Step 4Add the cream cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the pot and stir until melted. Sprinkle in the flour and stir, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until the flour is golden brown, about 1 minute. Add the milk, 1 cup at a time, stirring until slightly thickened between each addition, 2 to 3 minutes total. Fold in the monterey jack until melted, about 2 minutes. Season the sauce with the remaining ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper, if needed, then add the pasta, stirring until coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the bacon breadcrumbs. Bake until the breadcrumbs are crispy and the sauce is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.

Baked Orecchiette with Bacon Breadcrumbs

Ingredients

PASTA AND SAUCE

BACON BREADCRUMBS

Directions

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