Baked Rigatoni with Prosciutto Béchamel Sauce & Steamed Artichoke

Baked Rigatoni with Prosciutto Béchamel Sauce

& Steamed Artichokes  

If you were a fan of mac'ncheese and hot dogs as a child this creamy baked pasta and cheese  recipe will delight your evolved taste buds & impress your family.
 (This is not my original recipe but I can't recall who to credit.)

Ingredients for 6servings 

(Béchamel Sauce)

5tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 cup all purpose flour

4 cups warm whole milk

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tsp Olive Oil

1/2 lb Thinly sliced prosciutto cut into thin strips
(I buy prosciutto freshly sliced from the deli because it's half the price than pre-packaged)

1 cup grated fontina cheese ($5ish per block) 

1/2 tsp salt

1lb rigatoni pasta

3 tbs unsalted butter diced
1 cup grated bellavitano cheese ($5ish per block)

3 artichokes
3 tbsp lemon juice
2tbs olive oil
1/4 cup mayo
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp seasoning salt
3 tsp lemon juice

Pairs well with an oaky Cahrdonnay, we had a Beringer from Napa Valley ($15-$20)

Preheat oven 425f, Oil 13x9 glass baking dish.
Boil rigatoni in large pot with salted water until tender but still firm, al dente (5mins).
Strain pasta & return to pot.

To make Béchamel Sauce melt butter over med heat, add flour & whisk until smooth (2min).

Gradually add milk while whisking to keep lumps from forming (2min).
Simmer, do not allow to boil, while stirring until sauce thickens & add salt (10min).
Stir in prosciutto, fontina, 1/2 tsp salt & set aside.
Pour Béchamel Sauce into pasta & season with salt & pepper to taste.
Fill baking dish with pasta, top with bellavitano & bake until top is golden brown (25min).

 

Artichokes 
Boil water in a stockpot with steamer basket on top.
Rinse artichokes, snap off stem, cut 1/2inch off the top, slice in halves, spoon out the hairs from the heart (the heart will turn brown fast from oxidation, don't worry) sprinkle 2tsp of lemon juice & olive oil evenly over the 6 halves and stick in steamer for 25mins.
(These are great to throw face down on the grill for a few mins once steamed)
For dipping artichoke mix mayo, pepper, seasoning salt & 1tbsp lemon juice. If you don't like mayo substitute melted butter.