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Baked Pasta with Speck and Gorgonzola

17/11/2023

Baked pasta with speck and gorgonzola is a rich and flavorful dish, combining the intense taste of the blue cheese with the smoky flavor of speck. Here is the recipe to prepare this delicious and comforting dish.

Ingredients

  • 350 g of short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or similar)
  • 150 g of speck slices
  • 200 g of sweet gorgonzola
  • 250 ml of béchamel sauce
  • 100 ml of cooking cream
  • 100 g of grated parmesan
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Butter to grease the baking dish
  • Breadcrumbs (optional)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F) and bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
  2. Cook the pasta according to the times indicated on the package, but drain it 2-3 minutes before the recommended al dente time, so that it can finish cooking in the oven without becoming too soft.
  3. In the meantime, in a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the speck cut into strips until it becomes slightly crispy.
  4. Prepare the béchamel sauce or, if you have it ready, heat it over medium heat. Incorporate the gorgonzola cut into small cubes and cook until the cheese has completely melted into the sauce.
  5. Add the cream to the gorgonzola sauce, mix well, and adjust with salt and pepper. Remember that both speck and gorgonzola are savory, so be careful not to over-salt.
  6. Drain the pasta and combine it in a large bowl with the speck and gorgonzola sauce.
  7. Butter a baking dish and pour the pasta mixture into it. Level well and sprinkle with the grated parmesan. For an extra crispy crust, you can also add some breadcrumbs.
  8. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the surface is golden and crispy.
  9. Let it rest a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Baked pasta has very ancient origins and has evolved in various forms in different parts of Italy, with each region boasting its local variant. The version with speck and gorgonzola is not traditional but represents a fusion of flavors from northern Italy: speck typical of South Tyrol and gorgonzola, a blue cheese originating from Lombardy.

For an even richer version, you could add sautéed mushrooms or chopped walnuts for an extra touch of flavor and crunchiness. Enjoy your meal!