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In this gourmet casserole recipe, we’re combining penne, kale and a rich béchamel sauce made with Gruyere (a mellow, creamy Swiss cheese). Then we’re topping it with cheesy breadcrumbs and—for a bit of winter luxury—chestnuts, before crisping it up in the oven. The topping forms a savory crust while sealing in the moisture of the sauce, creating layers of varied flavors and textures. To round out the dish, we're tossing arugula with seasonal clementines, whose juicy segments make for perfect, sweet bites.
Get PlansPreheat the oven to 475°F. Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling on high. Once boiling, add the pasta. Cook 8 to 9 minutes, or until just shy of al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Reserving 1¾ cups of the pasta cooking water, drain thoroughly. Rinse and wipe out the pot.
While the pasta cooks, wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel and mince the garlic. Grate the Gruyere cheese. Remove and discard the kale stems; roughly chop the leaves. Finely chop the chestnuts. Quarter and deseed the lemon. Peel the clementines; separate the segments.
In the pot used to cook the pasta, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add the flour. Cook, whisking frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until golden brown and toasted. Add the milk and reserved pasta cooking water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, whisking occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk in the Gruyere cheese until melted and thoroughly combined.
Add the kale to the pot of béchamel sauce; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the kale has wilted. Stir in the cooked pasta; season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and chestnuts; season with salt and pepper. Stir in enough olive oil to moisten the mixture. Evenly spoon the mixture over the assembled casserole. Place the baking dish on a sheet pan and bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool for at least 2 minutes before serving.
While the casserole bakes, squeeze the juice of all 4 lemon wedges into a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until well combined.
Just before serving, in a large bowl, combine the arugula and clementines; season with salt and pepper. Add as much of the vinaigrette as you'd like (you may have extra). Toss to coat; season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving dish. Serve the baked casserole with the salad on the side. Enjoy!
Tips from Home Chefs