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Ziti with Bechamel: The Be All and End All

Baked Ziti with Zucchini, Pancetta, and Bechamel

Yes, it’s the first month of a new year. Yes, I’ve noticed fellow bloggers and their admirable resolutions. No grains. No dairy. No this. No that. Yes, I’m supposed to be embracing the latest foodie fads by guzzling green smoothies or chomping the new kale salad (whatever it may be). But frankly, I’m not ready to give up the decadence of the waning season. In fact, thanks to the rain that’s finally come to Los Angeles, I find myself craving creamy and comforting, hot-from-the-oven, super steamy, yet crunchy, baked pasta. Something your mom and mine might call a casserole. The thing that (the best) casseroles have in common is Bechamel.

Bechamel is made by combining hot milk with a pale roux made from butter and flour. Simply seasoned with salt and pepper, it’s a versatile sauce that can serve as the base for – well, this, that, and everything. I bet I could turn a green smoothie into a decent casserole with a healthy dose of Bechamel.

Bechamel is considered one of the mother sauces of classic French cooking. Add cheese to it (as in this recipe for Baked Ziti with Zucchini) and it technically becomes a Mornay sauce. I was raised on classic French cooking by a Julia Child obsessed mother. Even as a kid I knew what Bechamel (and Mornay) was even before I knew that baseballs were for boys and Easy-Bake Ovens were for girls.

BechamelTomato Sauce

Zucchini Slices

Baked Ziti with Zucchini, Pancetta, and Bechamel

Baked ziti is an Italian baked pasta dish that all cooks should have in their repertoire. There’s nothing like pulling a bubbling casserole dish of noodles out of the oven to bring people to the table. Perhaps it’s the simplicity of the preparation, or maybe it’s because baked pasta is so easy to adapt to the situation and your pantry, but I’ve eaten endless variations. Most of these versions feature ricotta. That’s the traditional Italian way to go with the dish. However, I like the tips of the noodles to stick out and get dark crunchy brown in the oven. I find that ricotta, when cooked too long gets a bit dry and grainy. Bechamel is the perfect solution. It may not be traditional but it won’t dry out. So go ahead, don’t be afraid to leave it in the oven to get good and crispy.

Yes, because of the Bechamel turned Mornay sauce, this recipe is rich. It probably won’t work for most people’s New Year’s resolutions list. However, a healthy heaping of zucchini makes it practically the same as a green smoothie (or whatever salad the new kale salad may be), right? GREG

Baked Ziti with Zucchini, Pancetta, and Bechamel
Baked Ziti with Zucchini, Pancetta, and Bechamel

Baked Ziti with Zucchini, Pancetta, and Bechamel 

Print This Recipe Total time Yield 6–8Source Inspired by Bon AppetitPublished

Depending on the number of eaters at the table I often divide this recipe into 2 smaller baking dishes. That way I can freeze one for later and bake the other immediately.

Baked Ziti with Zucchini, Pancetta, and Bechamel

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cup whole milk (gently warmed) plus a splash more if needed
  • 2 ½ cup grated Parmesan (divided)
  • ½ cup olive oil (divided)
  • 1 large onion (peeled)
  • 3 ounce pancetta (thinly sliced and finely chopped) optional
  • 4 clove garlic (peeled and minced)
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • kosher salt, freshly ground pepper (as needed)
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup thinly sliced, lightly packed fresh basil
  • 2–3 small to medium zucchini (sliced on a bias into ½‑inch pieces) about 1 pound
  • 1 tablespoon dried herbs de Provence
  • dried ziti pasta (or similar small tubular pasta, such as penne, or rigatoni)
  • 1 pound mozzarella (chilled and roughly grated)

Directions

Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until foamy. Sprinkle flour over and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in warm milk. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, whisking often, until béchamel is thickened and no longer feels grainy when rubbed between your fingers, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 cups Parmesan, whisking until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside in a warm place.

Working over a bowl use the large holes of a box grater to grate the onion; set aside.

Heat ¼ cup oil in a large saucepan over medium-high. Cook pancetta (if using), stirring often, until golden brown and beginning to crisp, about 4 minutes. Add grated onion and all its juice, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often until onion is softened and just beginning to color, 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until slightly darkened, about 2 minutes.

Add crushed tomatoes to the saucepan. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until slightly reduced and flavors have melded, 20–25 minutes. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Toss zucchini, remaining ¼ cup olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and dried herbs de Provence. Spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet in as close to a single layer as possible. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.

While the zucchini is roasting bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain the pasta well and set aside.

Once the zucchini is out of the oven, lower the temperature to 350 degrees F.

Gently reheat the béchamel, using a splash of milk if necessary to get it moving in the pan then transfer to a large bowl; add partially cooked pasta, roasted zucchini, and grated mozzarella; toss to combine. Add all but 1 cup tomato sauce and gently fold mixture a few times, leaving streaks of béchamel.

Transfer pasta mixture to a 3‑quart shallow baking dish, dollop with remaining tomato sauce, and scatter remaining ½ cup Parmesan over pasta. Bake until mozzarella is melted and sauce is bubbling around the edges, 15–20 minutes.

Heat broiler. Broil until pasta and cheese are dark brown and crunchy in spots, about 4 minutes. Let pasta sit 5 minutes before serving.

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