Paccheri and Cheese with Peas and Mint

Ingredients for Paccheri and Cheese with Peas and Mint

• 60g (1/2 stick) unsalted butter plus more for pan

• 50g plus 230g grated Parmesan, divided (about 100g total)

• 60ml plain flour

• 950ml whole milk

• 240ml shredded Fontina cheese

• 1 large egg

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 450g paccheri rigati or rigatoni

• 240ml shelled fresh or frozen peas

• 2 cups coarsely chopped rocket

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint

• 1 cup ricotta (about 250g )

• 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

Butter pan. Dust pan all over with 80ml Parmesan. Melt 60ml butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; whisk for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a simmer, whisking often. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, whisking frequently, until sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in Fontina and 150g Parmesan. Add egg; whisk to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Cover sauce and keep warm.

Arrange a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 191°C. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until almost al dente (pasta will continue to cook while baking). Using a large slotted spoon, transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add peas to pasta water; cook until just tender, about 1 minute. Drain peas; add to bowl with pasta. Stir in cheese sauce. Add rocket, 1 cup parsley, and 1/2 cup mint to pasta mixture; mix to evenly incorporate.

Transfer half of pasta mixture to prepared pan. Mix ricotta and lemon zest in a small bowl; dot half of ricotta mixture over pasta. Spoon remaining pasta mixture into pan and dot with remaining ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 40g Parmesan.

Bake pasta for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 40g Parmesan. Bake pasta until top is golden brown, about 10 minutes longer. Let rest for 30 minutes; remove pan sides. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parsley and 2 tablespoons mint and cut into wedges.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.