Blt Creamy Mac 'N' Cheese (Rachael Ray) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

salt
1 lb ziti pasta (may sub penne)
extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (EVOO)
6 slices bacon, chopped
2 leeks, trimmed halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
two 3-ounce bricks cream cheese, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups shredded asiago cheese (may sub parmigiano-reggiano)
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 cups baby arugula
1 cup basil leaves, torn
1/2 lemon, juice of
drizzle extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 500\u00b0. 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.
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, then the reserved pasta cooking water.
Add the pasta to the sauce and toss. Pile into a casserole and top with the tomatoes and remaining shredded cheese. Bake until browned on top, 7 to 8 minutes.
In a large bowl, toss the arugula and basil with the lemon juice and a drizzle of EVOO. Serve on top of the pasta.