Baked Macaroni With Three Cheeses

Total Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cups monterey jack cheese, grated
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or 1 cup other coarse breadcrumbs

Recipe

• 1 heat the oven to broil.
• 2 use 1 t of butter to generously coat a 3-quart casserole dish.
• 3 bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in large stockpot.
• 4 add 2 t of salt, stir briefly, then add the pasta.
• 5 cook until tender and just past al dente, about 10-13 minutes, or slightly longer than package directions.
• 6 drain the pasta, then transfer it to a large bowl.
• 7 drizzle the olive oil over the pasta, then toss to coat; set aside.
• 8 to make the sauce, in a small saucepan over low heat, bring the milk to a simmer.
• 9 remove the pan from the heat.
• 10 in medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup of the remaining butter, using a whisk to swirl it to ensure the butter melts completely and does not turn brown.
• 11 if the butter begins to brown, lower the heat.
• 12 while whisking, sprinkle in the flour.
• 13 continue to whisk until the mixture just bubbles, about 2 minutes.
• 14 do not let the mixture brown.
• 15 while whisking, slowly pour the milk in the saucepan.
• 16 continue whisking until there are no lumps.
• 17 bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and season with salt and pepper.
• 18 continue whisking until the sauce reaches the consistency of heavy cream and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.
• 19 remove the sauce from the heat.
• 20 whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, all of the monterey jack cheese and 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese.
• 21 whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
• 22 pour the sauce over the pasta and gently toss to coat.
• 23 transfer the pasta and sauce, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl, to the prepared casserole dish.
• 24 set aside.
• 25 in small microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining 1 t of butter by microwaving on high for about 20 seconds.
• 26 add the breadcrumbs and remaining cheddar and parmesan cheeses; toss well.
• 27 spread the bread crumb mixture evenly over the pasta.
• 28 place the dish on the oven's middle rack and broil for 6-8 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly, and a crunchy crust forms on top.
• 29 cool briefly before serving.