Macaroni in a Creamy Tomato Sauce

Macaroni in a Creamy Tomato Sauce

🥘 Ingredients

  • Parmesan cheese
    ½ cup
  • butter
    1 tbsp
  • crushed tomatoes
    1 box
  • flour
    2 tbsp
  • garlic
    4 clove
  • macaroni pasta
    12 oz
  • milk
    2 c
  • pancetta
    4 oz
  • panko breadcrumbs
    ½ cup
  • parsley
    ¼ ounce
  • pepper
  • salt
  • spinach
    5 oz
  • vegetable oil
    1 tsp

🍳 Cookware

  • large pot
  • small bowl
  • large pan
  • slotted spoon
  • small baking dish
  1. 1
    Wash and dry all produce. Preheat broiler to high or oven to 500 degrees. Bring a large pot of salt water to a boil. Mince or grate garlic . Roughly chop parsley . Once water is boiling, add macaroni pasta to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Drain.
    salt, garlic: 4 clove, parsley: ¼ ounce, macaroni pasta: 12 oz
  2. 2
    Place butter in a small bowl . Microwave on high until melted, ⏱️ 20 seconds . (TIP: Alternatively, melt butter in a small pan.) Add panko breadcrumbs and half the parsley to bowl and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper .
    butter: 1 tbsp, panko breadcrumbs: ½ cup, salt, pepper
  3. 3
    Heat a drizzle of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (use an ovenproof pan if you have one). Add pancetta and cook, tossing, until crisp, 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate with a slotted spoon , keeping as much oil in pan as possible.
    vegetable oil: 1 tsp, pancetta: 4 oz
  4. 4
    Lower heat under pan to medium. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, ⏱️ 30 seconds . Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until it loses its raw smell, ⏱️ 1 minute . Slowly pour in milk (we sent more), whisking vigorously to incorporate. Bring to a gentle boil and cook until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat, then add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
    flour: 2 tbsp, milk: 2 c, Parmesan cheese: ½ cup
  5. 5
    Add crushed tomatoes and spinach to pan. Stir to wilt spinach (if leaves do not wilt, return pan to medium heat). Season with salt and pepper . Stir in drained macaroni, pancetta, and remaining parsley. Season with salt and pepper . (TIP: If your pan is not ovenproof, transfer mixture to a small baking dish at this point.)
    crushed tomatoes: 1 box, spinach: 5 oz, salt, pepper, salt, pepper
  6. 6
    Sprinkle crust mixture over top of pasta. Broil or bake until crust is golden, 2-3 minutes. Divide pasta between plates and serve.