Baked Pasta with Broccoli and Bacon

Baked pasta with broccoli and bacon is a rich and tasty dish, combining the sweetness of broccoli with the strong flavor of bacon. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 400 g of short pasta (penne, rigatoni, fusilli, etc.)
• 300 g of broccoli
• 150 g of cubed smoked bacon
• 250 g of béchamel sauce
• 150 g of grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Clean the broccoli, divide it into florets and blanch in boiling salted water for about 5-7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. In a pan, fry the cubed bacon with a drizzle of oil until it becomes crispy.
3. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water until al dente, then drain it, saving some of the cooking water.
4. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
5. In a baking dish, combine pasta, broccoli, and bacon, mixing gently. If the pasta looks too dry, you can add some of the saved cooking water.
6. Spread the béchamel sauce over the pasta mixture, creating an even layer.
7. Sprinkle with grated cheese and season with a pinch of pepper.
8. Bake and let cook for about 20 minutes or until the surface is golden and crispy.
9. Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Baked pasta is a traditional Italian dish that lends itself to many variations. By adding broccoli and bacon you give the dish a more rustic and savory touch. This type of preparation is ideal for winter days or a family Sunday lunch. The dish can be further enriched with other cheeses such as mozzarella or provolone to make it even more stringy and tasty.