Asiago Cremini Pasta Bake with Radicchio

This fancy version of mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and the perfect comfort food! Don't omit the radicchio as its slight bitterness balances out the richness of this dish.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 588 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small red onion, diced
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs
• 3 cups grated Asiago cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) package shell pasta
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage
• 1 pound sliced cremini mushrooms
• 1 large head radicchio - halved, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook shell pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until still firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook and stir until mushrooms have browned and onion is translucent, about 7 minutes. Add radicchio, garlic, and sage; cook until radicchio has wilted and garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in pasta.

Step 4

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour; cook until foaming. Pour in milk, whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in Asiago cheese, heavy cream, 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until sauce is melted and smooth.

Step 5

Pour sauce over pasta mixture; stir until thoroughly combined. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and panko.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 30 minutes. Broil until topping is golden brown, about 1 minute.