Spinach and Hot Ham Fake-Baked Pasta with a Crispy Top

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cavatappi, corkscrew pasta with lines or macaroni with line in any short cut

  • Salt

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive (EVOO), divided

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped

  • Black pepper

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 cups whole or 2 percent milk

  • 1/2 pound sliced capocollo (hot ham), halved then sliced into thin ribbons

  • 1 box frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and excess liquid squeezed out

  • 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (a few large handfuls), divided

  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground or freshly grated (eyeball it)

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (a couple pinches)

  • 1 pound ball fresh mozzarella – buy a piece wrapped, not packed in water, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes

  • 1 cup plain or Italian breadcrumbs

  • A generous handful of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

Directions

Pre-heat the broiler. Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Add the pasta, salt water and cook to al dente, with a bite. While the water is coming up to a boil for the pasta, heat a medium, deep skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, and the butter. When butter melts into the oil, add onions and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes then dust the onions with flour and continue to cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk. Gently bring milk to a bubble, allow the milk to thicken a bit, then stir in the capocola, spinach and 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Season sauce with nutmeg and cayenne and remove from the heat. Taste and add a little salt, if you like. Combine the cooked pasta and the cubed mozzarella with the sauce, stir to coat completely by turning over and over. Transfer dressed pasta to a baking dish. To make the breadcrumb topping, combine the breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of EVOO and the remaining 1/2 cup Parmigiano. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top to cover the pasta from edge to edge. Transfer the baking dish under the broiler and broil until golden brown and crispy. Garnish with chopped parsley.