20-MINUTE MAC 'N' CHEESE RECIPE - (4.1/5)

20-Minute Mac 'N' Cheese Recipe - (4.1/5) image

Provided by Pebbles-2

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 C milk
6 T butter, cut into pieces
6 T all purpose flour
8 oz. shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 t ground pepper
1 lb. cavatappi pasta
1 1/2 C panko bread crumbs
1 t olive oil

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°. Microwave 2 cups milk at HIGH for 1 1/2 minutes. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat; whisk in 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in warm milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened. Whisk in 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, and, if desired, 1/4 tsp. red pepper until smooth; stir in 1/2 (16-oz.) package elbow macaroni pasta. Spoon pasta mixture into a lightly greased 2-qt. baking dish; top with extra-sharp Cheddar cheese. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.