ORECCHIETTE WITH HAM AND PEAS IN CHEESE SAUCE

ORECCHIETTE WITH HAM AND PEAS IN CHEESE SAUCE image

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Kosher Salt
4 ounces of unsalted butter
1 LB of orecchiete of shell shaped pasta
1 large shallot
1/4 unbleached flour
3 cups of whole milk warmed
2 cups of shredded Grana Padano
2 tsp chopped thyme
1/4 tsp tobasco
Freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup ham steak diced
2 cups of frozen peas
1/2 cup coarse bread crumbs
1 TBS olive oil

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Cook pasta to package directions, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. For cheese sauce, melt butter add shallott and sprinkle with salt till tender. Add flour and stir till smells nutty. Whisk in milk and a slow steady stream. Whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and add Grana Padano, Thyme, Tobasco, salt and pepper Stie in ham and peas. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Stir 1/4 cup of pasta water to loosen up the sauce. Stir in pasta. Put in baking dish. Miz in small bowl breadcrumbs, olive oil and salt and pepper and sprinkle on top. Bake for about 20 minutes.