[Update my dinner status], I'm making this tonight.
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Servings: 8 Servings
Total Time (median): tell us
US/Metric: [convert to metric]
Ingredients
-- Bread Crumb Topping --
- 6 slices white bread (good-quality, about 6 ounces), torn into rough pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold), cut into 6 pieces
-- Pasta & Cheese --
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard powder - to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 5 cups milk Low fat is fine
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese shredded (2 cups)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded (2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Preparation
1. For the bread crumbs: Pulse bread and butter in food processor until crumbs are no larger than 1/8 inch, ten to fifteen 1-second pulses. Set aside.
2. For the pasta and cheese: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat broiler. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat. Add macaroni and 1 tablespoon salt; cook until pasta is tender. It's crucial to cook the pasta until tende r- -just past the "al dente" stage. In fact, overcooking is better than undercooking. Drain and set aside in colander.
3. In now-empty Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Add flour, mustard, and cayenne (if using) and whisk well to combine. Continue whisking until mixture becomes fragrant and deepens in color, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk; bring mixture to boil, whisking constantly (mixture must reach full boil to fully thicken). Reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened to consistency of heavy cream, about 5 minutes. Off heat, whisk in cheeses and 1 teaspoon salt until cheeses are fully melted. Add pasta and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is steaming and heated through, about 6 minutes.
4. Transfer mixture to broiler-safe 9-by 13-inch baking dish and sprinkle evenly with bread crumbs. Broil until crumbs are deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes, rotating pan if necessary for even browning. Cool about 5 minutes, then serve.
NOTES:
The recipe can be halved and baked in an 8-inch-square, broilersafe baking dish.
If desired, offer celery salt or hot sauce (such as Tabasco) for sprinkling at the table.
Cuisine: American
Main Ingredient: Cheese
Tags:
Vegetarian,
Meatless,
Simple - Easy,
Side Dish,
Main Dish,
Brunch,
American,
Cheese,
Dinner,
Fall,
Creamy
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