Ingredients
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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2 lbs asparagus, cut in 1-inch pieces
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8 scallions, sliced
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1 lemon, juiced
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
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salt, pepper to taste
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1 tablespoon butter
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1 tablespoon flour
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1 cup milk
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1 cup mascarpone cheese
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1 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
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1/8 teaspoon allspice
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1/8 teaspoon cayenne
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3/4 cup fresh breadcrumb
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1 lb fettuccine pasta
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1/2 cup pignolis, toasted
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cooking spray
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2 lemons, zested
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
- Heat a large pot of water to boil.
- Add asparagus and cook 2 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon and run under cold water to stop cooking process, drain well.
- Add fettuccine to boiling water and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
- While fettuccine is cooking, heat oil in a skillet, add scallions and saute 1 minute.
- Add asparagus, saute 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and add half the zest, lemon juice, thyme, salt, pepper; mix well; set aside.
- In a saucepan melt butter, add flour and mix well.
- Whisk in milk and stir until boiling, lower heat and cook until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in mascapone, remaining zest and 1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano, whisking until smooth.
- Season with allspice, cayenne, salt and pepper.
- Mix remaining cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper in a small bowl.
- For assembly:
- Drain the cooked fettucine and return to pot.
- Stir in asparagus mixture, cheese sauce, toasted nuts and mix well.
- Pour into prepared pan, top with breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes until bubbling and golden; serve.