Baked Rigatoni with Broccoli, Green Olives and Pancetta

Hugh Acheson cooked up this recipe and shared it via Food and Wine. It's a nice riff on the baked ziti class of Italian casseroles. The broccoli and green olives are a change of pace from the typical spinach that seems to be in every Italian casserole. Don't get me wrong, I like spinach, but it's refreshing to use something else.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
1 1/2 pounds plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 thyme sprigs
1/2 cup torn basil leaves, plus 1 basil sprig
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds broccoli, cut into small florets and stems reserved for another use
One 4-ounce slice of pancetta, finely diced
1 large onion, very finely chopped
1 cup pitted green olives, such as Castelvetrano, halved
1 pound rigatoni
2 cups fresh ricotta cheese
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preheat the oven to 425° and butter a 9-by-13-inch ceramic or glass baking dish. 

On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the tomatoes, garlic, thyme and basil sprigs with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 20 minutes, until softened and browned in spots; let cool. Discard the thyme and basil sprigs and coarsely chop the tomatoes and garlic, reserving any juices.

Meanwhile, on another rimmed baking sheet, toss the broccoli florets with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Leave the oven on.

Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the pancetta and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and nearly crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the olives, tomatoes and garlic and the 2 tablespoons of butter; keep warm.

In a pot of salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 1/4 cups of the cooking water. Stir the pasta into the skillet along with the reserved cooking water, broccoli, ricotta, torn basil and 1/2 cup of the Parmigiano. Season with salt and pepper. 

Transfer the pasta to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmigiano on top and bake for 15 minutes, until bubbling and browned on top. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

MAKE AHEAD The baked pasta can be refrigerated overnight.