Baked Four-Cheese Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil
From josh buergel, who got it from http://www.cooksillustrated.com/printrecipe.asp?recipeids=55&bdc=660
6/5/2007

Serves 4 to 6 

Bread Crumb Topping
 
3-4 slices bread with crusts, torn into quarters  
1/2 oz (1/4 c) grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp table salt   
1/8 tsp ground black pepper   

Pasta and Cheese
 
1/2 oz grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 c)
4 oz fontina cheese, shredded (about 1 c)  
3 oz Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled (about 3/4 c)  
1 oz grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 1/4 c)
1 lb penne pasta
1 tbsp table salt   
2 tsp unsalted butter   
2 tsp unbleached all-purpose flour   
1/4 tsp ground black pepper   
1 1/2 c heavy cream   
1 lb diced tomatoes
1/4 tsp table salt   
1/4 c coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves   


1. Boil pasta: Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil in stockpot.  Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt to boiling water; stir to separate pasta. 

2. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 500 degrees.

3. For the topping: Pulse bread in food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about ten 1-second pulses (you should have about 1 1/2 cups). Transfer to small bowl; stir in Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Set mixture aside.

4. Combine cheeses in large bowl; set aside. 

5. While pasta is cooking, melt butter in saucepan over medium-low heat; whisk flour into butter until no lumps remain, about 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in cream, add tomatoes, and increase heat to medium, and bring to boil, -stirring occasionally; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 1 minute to ensure that flour cooks. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; cover cream mixture to keep hot and set aside. 

6. When pasta is very al dente (when bitten into, pasta should be opaque and slightly underdone at very center), drain about 5 seconds, leaving pasta slightly wet. 

7. Add pasta to bowl with cheeses; immediately pour cream mixture over, then cover bowl with foil or large plate and let stand 3 minutes. Uncover bowl and stir with rubber spatula, scraping bottom of bowl, until cheeses are melted and mixture is thoroughly combined.  Stir in basil.

8. Transfer pasta to 13 by 9-inch baking dish, then sprinkle evenly with reserved bread crumbs, pressing down lightly. Bake until topping is golden brown, about 7 minutes. Serve immediately.