Baked Pasta with White Beans and Pancetta
Transform a classic Italian comfort dish with this baked version of Pasta E Fagioli Al Forno. Rich in flavors from pancetta and fresh herbs, combined with creamy béchamel sauce and tender pasta, this dish is not only heartwarming but also shares the wholesomeness of white beans. Perfect for gatherings or cozy family dinners, this casserole will warm your heart and delight your taste buds. Serve with a fresh salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Penne rigate or whole wheat penne
1 lb (Dry)
Pancetta
1/4 lb (3 to 4 slices, thick cut, chopped into 1/4-inch dice)
Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (For sautéing)
Celery
2 ribs (Chopped)
Carrot
1 (Peeled and grated)
Onion
1 (Peeled and chopped)
Garlic cloves
2-3 (Minced)
Fresh rosemary
2 sprigs (Chopped)
Fresh thyme
3-4 sprigs (Finely chopped)
Fresh bay leaf
1 (Whole)
Black pepper
To taste (Freshly ground)
Small white beans
1 (15 ounce) can (Drained and rinsed)
Dry white wine
1/2 cup (For deglazing)
Butter
2 tablespoons (For sauce)
All-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (For sauce)
Milk
2 cups (For sauce)
Nutmeg
To taste (Freshly grated)
Grated Romano cheese
1 1/2 cups (For topping and mixing)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven's broiler to high and position an oven rack in the middle.
2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne rigate until just under al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
3
In a skillet over medium heat, add the extra virgin olive oil and chopped pancetta. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the pancetta is crispy.
4
Add in the chopped celery, grated carrot, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Stir in the fresh rosemary, thyme, and whole bay leaf, seasoning with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Sauté for about 6 to 7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
5
Stir in the drained white beans and let them warm through for a minute. Pour in the dry white wine, allowing it to simmer for 30 seconds before removing the skillet from the heat and discarding the bay leaf.
6
In a separate small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and let it cook for 1 minute until bubbly and slightly golden. Gradually whisk in the milk, seasoning the sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Let it simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in half of the grated Romano cheese until melted.
7
In a large mixing pot, combine the drained pasta with the vegetable and bean mixture alongside the creamy cheese sauce. Stir gently to ensure even coating.
8
Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased casserole dish. Top with the remaining grated Romano cheese.
9
Place the casserole under the broiler for 5 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
10
Remove from oven, let it cool slightly, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Baked Pasta with White Beans and Pancetta?
This dish is a baked version of Pasta E Fagioli Al Forno, a classic Italian comfort meal featuring white beans, pancetta, and a creamy béchamel sauce.
What type of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of penne rigate or whole wheat penne pasta.
Can I use whole wheat pasta in this dish?
Yes, the recipe suggests either standard penne rigate or whole wheat penne as suitable options.
What type of beans are used?
The recipe uses one 15-ounce can of small white beans, which should be drained and rinsed.
How should the pancetta be prepared?
You should use 1/4 lb of thick-cut pancetta, sliced into 3 to 4 pieces and then chopped into a 1/4-inch dice.
What vegetables are included in the base?
The base consists of 2 ribs of chopped celery, 1 peeled and grated carrot, 1 peeled and chopped onion, and 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves.
Which fresh herbs are required?
The recipe requires 2 sprigs of chopped fresh rosemary, 3 to 4 sprigs of finely chopped fresh thyme, and 1 whole fresh bay leaf.
How should the pasta be cooked before baking?
The penne should be boiled in salted water until it is just under al dente according to the package instructions.
How long should I cook the pancetta?
The pancetta should be sautéed in extra virgin olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes crispy.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
The celery, carrot, onion, and garlic should be sautéed with the herbs for about 6 to 7 minutes until tender.
What is the purpose of adding white wine?
The dry white wine is used to deglaze the pan and add flavor after the white beans have been warmed through.
How long should the wine simmer?
The wine should be allowed to simmer for about 30 seconds before the skillet is removed from the heat.
What ingredients are in the creamy sauce?
The sauce is a béchamel made from butter, all-purpose flour, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and grated Romano cheese.
How much Romano cheese is needed?
The recipe requires a total of 1 1/2 cups of grated Romano cheese, used both in the sauce and as a topping.
How do I thicken the béchamel sauce?
Whisk flour into melted butter for 1 minute, then gradually add milk and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens.
When do I add the cheese to the sauce?
Stir half of the grated Romano cheese into the sauce after it has thickened and been removed from the heat.
How is the final mixture assembled?
In a large pot, combine the cooked pasta with the sautéed vegetable and bean mixture and the creamy cheese sauce.
What is used as the final topping?
The remaining half of the grated Romano cheese is sprinkled over the top of the casserole before broiling.
What are the oven settings for finishing the dish?
The oven broiler should be set to high with the rack in the middle position.
How long does the casserole stay under the broiler?
The dish should be broiled for about 5 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.
What should I do with the bay leaf?
The whole bay leaf should be discarded after the vegetables and beans have simmered and before mixing with the pasta.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
The recipe includes pancetta, but it is tagged as having a vegetarian option, implying the meat can be omitted.
What side dishes are recommended?
The dish is best served with a fresh salad and crusty bread.
How should the carrot be prepared?
The carrot should be peeled and then grated before being added to the vegetable sauté.
Should the casserole dish be greased?
Yes, the instructions state that the pasta mixture should be transferred to a greased casserole dish.
What kind of wine is best for this recipe?
A dry white wine is recommended for the deglazing step.
What spices are used to season the béchamel?
The sauce is seasoned with salt, fresh ground black pepper, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
Where should the oven rack be placed?
The oven rack should be positioned in the middle of the oven.
How should the dish be served after cooking?
Once removed from the broiler, let the casserole cool slightly and serve it while it is still warm.