Recipe Details

My dad was the absolute traditional “I get the bacon, my wife takes care of the kids” Roman Catholic. He never went into the kitchen other than to grab a saltine…which became a problem when my mom got sick and had to spend most of her time in bed.

Ingredients

FOR THE SPAGHETTI

• Kosher salt

• 1 lb. 

  spaghetti

• 2 tbsp. 

  plus 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

• 2 tbsp. 

  unsalted butter

• 1/2 

  white onion, chopped

• 3 

  cloves garlic, minced

• 1 

  large carrot, peeled and chopped

• 1 

  stalk celery, chopped

• 6 

  roma tomatoes, cored and chopped (with seeds)

• 2 

  bay leaves

• 2 

  chipotles in adobo sauce (I like Embasa brand), plus 1 tbsp. adobo sauce

• 1/4 c. 

  heavy whipping cream 

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 

  baguette, torn into bite-size pieces

• 1/4 c. 

  freshly grated Parmesan

• 1/4 c. 

  chopped fresh cilantro

Description

1. Step 1In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 2 cups pasta water before draining.  
2. Step 2Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, heat 2 teaspoons oil and butter. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft and starting to turn golden, 5 minutes. Add carrots and celery and cook 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaves. 
3. Step 3Transfer mixture to a blender and add chipotles, adobo sauce, cream, and 1 cup reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
4. Step 4Strain sauce back into saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes. 
5. Step 5Meanwhile, make croutons: Heat broiler. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss baguette pieces with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Broil until deeply golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Top with cilantro.
6. Step 6Add cooked pasta to sauce and toss, adding more reserved pasta water as needed to coat the noodles.
7. Step 7 Top pasta with croutons before serving.