Shells and Cheese

There's no question when I think of comfort food, I think of homemade macaroni and cheese. I absolutely love it and never get tired of eating it. Unfortunately, when I tell my family we are having macaroni and cheese for dinner, they are not as enthused as I am. I saw this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs and had to give it a try. I used whole grain shells instead of macaroni noodles and really liked the mixture of the two cheeses. I think next time I make this, I will cut the cayenne pepper in half. It wasn't too hot, but I just wanted to taste a little less of it. 

Normally, I don't care for left over mac and cheese, it's just not the same as when you first make it. I was surprised that I could actually eat it the next day and that it was still fairly creamy. The trick is to not over heat it but just warm it enough to take the chill off. I will definitely make this one again. I cut this recipe in half  and it still served 6, I didn't want too much left over. 

INGREDIENTS:

Bread Crumb Topping:
6 slices white or wheat hearty sandwich bread, torn into rough pieces
3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 6 pieces

Pasta and Cheese:
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon table salt
5 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons powdered mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
5 cups milk, lowfat, skim or whole
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (2 cups)
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)
1 teaspoon table salt

DIRECTIONS:

For the bread crumbs, pulse bread and butter in food processor until crumbs and butter are well combined and crumbs are fine. Set aside.

For the pasta and cheese, bring 4 quarts water to boil in a large pot or Dutch oven over high heat. Add macaroni and 1 tablespoon salt; cook until pasta is tender, about 1 minute past the al dente stage. Drain pasta and set aside in colander.

Adjust a rack in the oven to middle or lower-middle position and preheat the broiler.

In now-empty Dutch oven or pot, heat butter over medium 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, a handful at a time, 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.

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. Watch carefully so the crumbs don’t burn!

* recipe from melskitchencafe.com