Macaroni and Cheese Arrabiata

Submitted by mary winecoff

"Arrabiata means a hot, spicy dish with tomatoes. My boys love this dish and you can adjust just how spicy you like it. Good for those crisp fall evenings. I got this recipe out of our newspaper a long time ago."

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 (16 ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped fine
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3⁄4 cup pitted kalamata olive, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk
• 3⁄4 cup grated Fontina cheese
• 1⁄4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

directions

1. Cook pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente.
2. In a medum skillet heat olive oil.
3. Saute garlic until golden.
4. Add the tomatoes and the peppers.
5. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 5 minutes, until tomatoes are almost mushy.
6. Stir in olives and basil and set aside.
7. Melt butter in heavy saucepan.
8. Stir in flour.
9. Cook and whisk over medium heat for l minute.
10. Add milk all at once, whisking until smooth.
11. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
12. Stir in fontina and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and remove from heat.
13. Stir until cheese melts.
14. Add salt to taste.
15. Stir in tomato mixture and stir well.
16. Drain macaroni.
17. Return to pasta pot and shake until all moisture evaporates.
18. Add sauce, sirring well to coat all the pasta.
19. Pour into a 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
20. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan chees.
21. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until golden brown.

Reviews

[Marlitt]

This was really nice we all enjoyed it. I did leave out the flour but made the rest as written however I made some extra sauce to add when serving.

 

[Wistaria]

I was looking for a more traditional Arrabiata recipe, but I couldn't resist trying this intriguing dish. I'm so glad I did! It was much easier than I thought it would be from reading the instructions. I found that if you prep and then start everything at the same time, the components finish simultaneously. It was ready to go in the oven before I knew it! I followed the recipe to the letter and had no problems at all. The consistency was creamy and perfect. I loved the spicy tanginess of the dish and will make it again! Perhaps the reviewer who had trouble with the consistency didn't read the instructions and cooked the white sauce at too high of a temperature. Mine came out great!

 

[kelseygabrielle]

This is one of my new dinner staples. To make it a bit healthier I use a 28oz can of tomatoes, add a couple of red/yellow peppers, and use spelt or kamut pasta. I also mix up the different types of cheese depending on what is in the fridge, but every version has turned out stellar.

 

[SmallTownChef]

I don't know what happened but mine ended up being weird and gritty. Not a fan. Sorry.

 

[Vseward Chef-V]

I have made this twice since I tagged it in Sept!!!! I love the spiciness from the red pepper flakes and black pepper. This was really easy to put together and my boys loved it. I used a tad more fontina cheese and grated parmesan cuz we like it cheesy. Wish my photo had turned out, it simply didn't do it justice. I will keep this recipe handy, it's another *keeper* mary, we love your recipes. Still eating the "skillet corn" ;) Thanks for for sharing your recipes. (Made for Bevy Tag 9/08)