Creamy Pecorino and Parmesan Macaroni Bake with Salami, Roasted Tomatoes and Chilli
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1 punnet cherry tomatoes
500g macaroni
250g salami, torn or cut into bite-sized pieces
60g butter
1/3 cup flour
4 cups milk
Large handful Parmesan cheese, grated plus extra for topping
Large handful Pecorino cheese, grated plus extra for topping
Fresh nutmeg, grated
½ - 1 teaspoon chilli flakes (amount depending on personal taste)
1 teaspoon white truffle oil (optional)
1/3 cup white wine
¼ cup cream
Handful basil
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Preheat oven to 160˚C/320˚F
Slice baby tomatoes in half and place on a baking tray, cut-side up, drizzle with a little olive oil, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes. Turn oven temperature up to 180˚C/350˚F
Half fill a large French-oven style casserole pot with salted water, add in a glug of olive oil and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook for 8 minutes until almost al dente. The pasta will have further cooking in the oven so make sure you don’t over cook the past in the water at this stage. Drain, rinse in cold water return pasta to the casserole dish. Add another glug of olive oil, stir and coat the macaroni evenly, add the salami, roasted tomatoes and season everything with a little salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
Add the butter to a medium-sized saucepan and melt over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Reduce heat a little, add the milk in stages stirring/beating thoroughly with a wooden spoon as you go, keep stirring until the sauce has thickened and is smooth and creamy.
Remove from the heat add the 2 handfuls of cheeses, a decent grating of fresh nutmeg, dried chilli flakes, cream, truffle oil and season with a little more black pepper. Combine all together then pour over the macaroni along with the white wine, coating pasta well. Add in a handful of torn basil leaves and sprinkle the top of the pasta liberally with some more grated Parmesan and Pecorino.
Cook casserole in the pre-heated oven for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and top is bubbling and crispy. If you like you can stick the dish (lid off obviously!) under a hot grill to get the topping even crispier.
Serve piping hot with extra grated Parmesan and fresh crusty bread rolls.
Serves 6
What Katie Ate
http://www.whatkatieate.blogspot.com/