INGREDIENTS
Butter, for greasing pan, 2 tbsp (or more) olive oil, 70 gm pancetta, chopped, 4 tsp minced garlic, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 7 cups whole milk, 200 gm Fontina cheese, grated, ¼ gm mozzarella cheese, grated, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan, 170 gm provolone cheese, grated, ½ kg rigatoni pasta, 3 tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves, 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 2 cups fresh coarse breadcrumbs, Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
METHOD
• Butter a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Pre-heat the oven to 190°C.
• Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and sauté until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a small bowl. Pour off all but ¼ cup of the pan drippings (if necessary, add more oil to the pan drippings to equal ¼ cup total). Reduce the heat to medium. Add 3 tsp of garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in all the Fontina, mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone cheeses.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until almost al dente, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. (The pasta will continue cooking in the oven.) Drain pasta and add directly into the cheese. Add the parsley, basil, and pancetta and toss to coat. Season the pasta mixture, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared dish.
• Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toss to coat. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the pasta mixture. Drizzle the top with extra-virgin olive oil and bake until the sauce bubbles and the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 20 minutes.
