Serves 6 (main course) or 8 (side dish)
                    
                
                
                    
                        
                            - Active time:15 min
 
                        
                            - Start to finish:40 min
 
                        
                    
                
             
            
            
                
                
                
    
      
          
          
          
              
              
              
          
          
          
          
          
              
              
              December 2006
            
          
          
      
  
                
                
            
            
            
                 It takes only a few powerful ingredients like these to pull off amazingly full flavor. This rich, sophisticated pasta is guaranteed to keep the winter doldrums at bay.
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2 1/4
                                            cups
                                            heavy cream
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1 1/2
                                            cups
                                            plus 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (3 oz)
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1
                                            lb
                                            penne
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2
                                            oz
                                            thinly sliced prosciutto, coarsely chopped
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                
                            
                         
                    
                 
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                                
                                
                                
                                    
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Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
                                         
                                    
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Bring cream, 1 1/2 cups cheese, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon salt just to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
                                         
                                    
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Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, until al dente, then drain in a colander. Return pasta to pot, then stir in parmesan cream and prosciutto, tossing to coat. Transfer mixture to a 2-quart shallow flameproof gratin or baking dish (about 11 by 8 by 2 inches; not glass) and bake 15 minutes. 
                                         
                                    
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Stir pasta well to coat evenly with sauce, then sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. 
                                         
                                    
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Turn on broiler and broil pasta 4 to 5 inches from heat until top is lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.