Orecchiette with Ham and Peas in Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

• ¼ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 lb. orecchiette or other small shell pasta
• ¼ tsp. Tabasco
• 2 cups freshly grated Grana Padano
• ¾ lb. ham steak, cut into ½-inch dice
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
• + 7 more ingredients
• • 3 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1 large shallot, finely diced (about ¼ cup)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, more for the dish
  • 1 Tbs. olive oil
  • ½ cup coarse fresh breadcrumbs
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 cups frozen peas, thawed

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and add the pasta; cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain the pasta well, and return the pa...

View full recipe at Fine Cooking