GOURMET MAC AND CHEESE

GOURMET MAC AND CHEESE image

Categories Pasta

Yield 4-6 bowls

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 stick of unsalted butter + 2 Tbs unsalted butter
2 Tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup shredded parmigiano reggiano
4 cups shredded sharp chedder cheese
2 individual boxes of mac and cheese dinner (the powdered packet version, not velveeta)
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup milk
1.5 tsp curry powder
1.5 tsp mustard powder
.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp kosher salt
.25 tsp ground pepper

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and butter casserole (I like to use four small casseroles for individual servings). 2. Add 2 tbs butter and olive oil to large non-stick skillet and heat over medium heat. 3. When butter melts and foams, add garlic and stir 1 minute. 4. Add bread crumbs to skillet and stir for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden. 5. Remove pan from heat, add cayenne pepper, 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano, 1 cup of chedder, and some salt to taste. 6. Stir until well mixed, put aside. 7. Meanwhile, boil pasta noodles from box dinners according to directions on box. 8. When pasta is finished cooking, transfer to a large bowl and immediatley add remaining 1 stick of butter. Stir until butter melts. 9. Add the two packets of powdered cheese to bowl plus half cup of milk. Mix well. 10. Add curry powder, mustard powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, mix well. 11. Add remaining 3 cups of chedder plus remaining 1/4 cup of parmigiano reggiano. 12. Add remaining 1/2 cup of milk and 1 cup of cream. Stir well. 13. Transfer to casserole, top with the bread crumb mix and bake for 20 minutes or until bubbling.