BLT Creamy Mac 'n' Cheese

From Everyday with Rachael Ray (I don't see it on the site)



Ingredients:
salt
1 pound ziti rigati pasta
EVOO
6 slices bacon, chopped
2 leeks, trimmed, halved lengthwise and slice crosswise
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
3 tbsp tomato paste
6 ounces cream cheese, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups shredded asiago, grana padano, or parmigiano-reggiano cheese
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water.

2. While the pasta is working, in a large skillet heat a drizzle of EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp at the edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the leeks and cook until softened, 3 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute. Stir in the cream cheese until melted. Stir in half of the shredded cheese and the reserved cooking water.

3. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss. Pile into a casserole and top with the tomatoes and remaining cheese. Bake until browned on top, 7 to 8 minutes.

Comments:
This sounded very similar to the BLT Pasta Bake I was going to make last week so when that got bumped I just swapped this out. It was easy to make and tasted very good. I'm looking forward to the leftovers.