---
title: "Cavatappi in a Tomato Cream Sauce: Pancetta and Spinach"
source:
  name: HelloFresh
  url: https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/cavatappi-in-a-tomato-cream-sauce-58de5dcc3131003a4a2b15d2
servings: 2
prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 20 minutes
time required: 30 minutes
difficulty: Easy
allergens:
  - Milk
  - Wheat
tags:
  - Pasta
  - Comfort Food
  - Quick
rating: 4.5
rating_count: 3900
source_chef: Recipe Development Team
review_highlights:
  - theme: Flavor
    text: Tangy, dairy-rich sauce clings perfectly to each curl of pasta
  - theme: Ease
    text: Simple roux technique makes a restaurant-quality sauce at home
image: "data/recipes/cavatappi-in-a-tomato-cream-sauce.jpg"
---
Wash and dry all produce. Preheat broiler to high or oven to 500 degrees. Bring a #large pot{} of salted water to a boil. Mince or grate @garlic{2%cloves}. Roughly chop @parsley{3%sprigs}. Once water is boiling, add @cavatappi pasta{8%oz} to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente ~{10%minutes}. Drain.

Place @butter{1%tbsp} in a #small bowl{}. Microwave on high until melted ~{30%seconds}. Add @panko breadcrumbs{¼%cup} and half the parsley to bowl and combine. Season with @salt{1%tsp} and @black pepper{1%tsp}.

Heat a drizzle of @vegetable oil{1%tbsp} in a #large pan{} over medium-high heat. Add half the @pancetta{2%oz} and cook, tossing, until crisp ~{4%minutes}. Transfer pancetta to a papertowel-lined plate with a slotted spoon, keeping as much oil in pan as possible.

Lower heat under pan to medium. Add garlic and cook until fragrant ~{30%seconds}. Add @flour{1%tbsp} and cook, stirring constantly, until starting to brown ~{1%minute}. Slowly pour in @milk{⅓%cup}, stirring vigorously to incorporate into flour. Bring to a boil. Cook until thickened ~{2%minutes}. Remove from heat, then add @parmesan cheese{2%oz} and stir until melted.

Add half the @crushed tomatoes{8%oz} and half the @spinach{2%oz} to pan. Stir to wilt spinach (if leaves do not wilt, return pan to medium heat). Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cavatappi, pancetta, and remaining parsley. Season with salt and pepper. If your pan is not ovenproof, transfer mixture to a small baking dish at this point.

Sprinkle crust mixture over top of pasta. Broil or bake until crust is golden ~{2%minutes}. Divide pasta between plates and serve.