GOURMET MAC & CHEESE WITH GARLIC BREAD CRUMBS

GOURMET MAC & CHEESE WITH GARLIC BREAD CRUMBS image

Yield 4 large servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

For Bread Crumbs:
1 Tbs unsalted butter
1 Tbs olive oil
1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
1 cup bread crumbs, fresh from crust-less French bread
For Mac & Cheese:
1-3/4 cup Sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
½ cup Asiago cheese, grated
¼ stick unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
½ lb macaroni pasta (Or any pasta you like: cellentani or cavatappi are my favorite)

Steps:

Instructions for Bread Crumbs: 1. Remove crust from bread and dice into small chunks, then use food processor to make fine bread crumbs. 2. Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan or skillet over moderate heat. 3. When foam subsides, cook garlic and bread crumbs, stirring until crumbs are golden. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Instructions for Mac & Cheese: 1. Pre-heat oven to 360F. 2. Mix cheeses in a bowl and set aside 3. Melt ¼ stick butter in large saucepan over medium heat. 4. While the butter melts, boil water for pasta and cook until tender but firm to bite. Then drain and transfer into large bowl. 5. Add flour to butter and stir/whisk until mixture is golden brown (1-4 minutes). 6. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. 7. Simmer until thickened and smooth, stirring often, about 4 minutes. 8. Pour cream sauce into macaroni and combine. 9. Add cheese mixture and stir until combined and almost completely melted. 10. Add salt to taste (at least a teaspoon for me). 11. Transfer macaroni to casserole dish and sprinkle top layer with bread crumbs. 12. Bake 30 minutes.