Baked Ziti with Prosciutto and Peas

This is yet another successful recipe from one of my new cookbooks.  I’ll be honest, the picture sold me!  I’ll make another confession, since I’m on a roll!  When I was little I would order off of menus based on the pictures.  I would read the menu but I would choose my meal by looking at the pictures.  As you can tell these menu’s were from Denny’s and the like!  I remember my Grandpa making fun of me for it later in life.  I guess at one point in my childhood I was a bit disappointed when my food did not look like it did in the picture! Hmm!  It also took a long time for me to figure out that the food you see in commercials is usually not real!  Well, shoot!  But, don’t you eat with your eyes first?  I still love looking through cookbooks, hence the blog, but I’m even more apt to make the recipe if there is a picture and it looks good!

This recipe reminds me of a kicked up version of Macaroni and Cheese.  The white sauce is very similar but instead of adding cheddar cheese you add Parmesan cheese.  I will definitely be making this again!  Be warned this makes enough for a crowd!  We are still eating this! Enjoy!

source: Williams Sonoma Food Made Fast One Pot

Ingredients:

salt

ziti, penne or other tubular pasta ( 1 lb)

1/2 cup unsatled butter

1/2 cup flour

4 cups milk

1/8 tsp nutmeg

2 cups Parmesan cheese

1 cup frozen baby peas

1/4 lb Prosciutto or ham, chopped

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and butter a 2 qt baking dish.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add 2 teaspoons salt and the pasta to the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until not quite al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions.  Drain, rinse under cold running water, and set aside

In the same pot over medium heat, melt the butter.  Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.  Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming, and cook unitl the sauce is thick and creamy, 5-10 minutes.  Stir in the nutmeg, cheese, peas, and prosciutto.  Return the pasta to the sauce and toss to combine.

Transfer the pasta  and sauce to the prepared dish.  Sprinkle with the bread crumbs.  Bake until the bread crumbs and golden and the sauce is bubbling, about 20 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.