BUFFALO MAC 'N' CHEESE

Buffalo Mac 'n' Cheese image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the casserole dish
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups half-and-half
4 cups shredded Cheddar
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 1/3 cups hot sauce
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 scallions, sliced on the bias

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until al dente, about 7 minutes; strain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a large oval casserole dish.
Cook 2 tablespoons of the butter, the onions, celery and a pinch of salt in a large saute pan over medium heat until the onions and celery are soft but not brown, about 7 minutes.
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the half-and-half, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the Cheddar, Monterey Jack and blue cheese until melted. Stir in the onion mixture, macaroni and hot sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Pour the macaroni mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, pour into a small bowl and mix with the panko; sprinkle on top of the mac 'n' cheese. Bake until bubbly and brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Garnish with the scallions.