Farfalle with Cheese Sauce, Baked

Name: Farfalle with Cheese Sauce, Baked - Timea J.
Ingredients: 500 g farfalle; 500 ml milk; 200 g grated cheese; 100 g telemea cheese; crumbled; 40 g flour; 25 g butter; salt; freshly ground pepper; grated cheese to sprinkle on top; butter for the dish

Pasta/Pizza - Farfalle with Cheese Sauce, Baked by Timea J. - Recipia

We start by preparing a heat-resistant dish, which we grease with melted butter, ensuring it is evenly coated to prevent the dish from sticking. This step is essential for achieving a golden and crispy crust on top. Meanwhile, in a large pot, we bring water to a boil, adding a tablespoon of salt to flavor the pasta. Once the water is boiling, we add the pasta and let it cook according to the package instructions, taking care to cook it al dente so that it retains a pleasant texture. After the pasta is cooked, we drain it well and set it aside. In a pan, we melt a generous amount of butter, then add the flour. We sauté the flour over low heat, stirring continuously to avoid lumps, until it turns a light golden color and has a pleasant aroma. The next step is to deglaze the flour with milk, adding it gradually while continuing to stir. We let the sauce simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken, forming a creamy and velvety consistency. Once the sauce is ready, we remove the pot from the heat and immediately add the diced telemea cheese and grated cheese. We mix well until the cheese melts and is fully incorporated into the sauce, creating a homogeneous texture and delicious flavor. We taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper, adjusting to our preferences. Now, we are ready to assemble the dish. We start by placing a layer of pasta in the prepared dish, followed by a layer of sauce. We continue to alternate layers of pasta and sauce, ensuring that the last layer is sauce, to maintain moisture and create a delicious crust when baked. Finally, we generously sprinkle grated cheese on top to achieve that golden and crispy crust we desire. We place the dish in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese on top becomes nicely golden. Once the dish is ready, we take it out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before portioning it. This dish is perfect served immediately while hot, but can also be enjoyed with the same pleasure when cold, offering a versatile culinary experience.