Pancetta and Escarole Baked Pasta

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Bake crispy pancetta and sauteed escarole into a pasta casserole with tomato sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan.
Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 5 min
Active: 30 min
Yield: 6

Ingredients

  1. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  2. 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  3. Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  4. One 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
  5. One 15-ounce can whole plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
  6. 4 large sprigs fresh basil
  7. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  8. 3/4 pound diced pancetta
  9. 1/2 head escarole, cut into 1-inch pieces
  10. 1 pound dried penne
  11. 3 cups shredded mozzarella
  12. 1 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil sprigs and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the basil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the escarole and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes; transfer to the bowl with the pancetta.
  4. Cook the penne in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl.
  5. Add the tomato sauce, half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 6 servings
Calories 886
Total Fat 50 g
Saturated Fat 20 g
Carbohydrates 69 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g
Sugar 9 g
Protein 40 g
Cholesterol 99 mg
Sodium 1083 mg

 

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