MACARONI AND TWO CHEESES WITH CARMELIZED SHALLOTS

MACARONI AND TWO CHEESES WITH CARMELIZED SHALLOTS image

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 tbsp butter, plus more for baking dish
3 cups sliced large shallots (about 6)
8 oz elbow macaroni (2 cups)
1 1/4 cups half and half cream
1 1/2 tsp hot sauce (Cholula or Tabasco)
2 cups (packed) coarsely grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 cub crumbled soft fresh goat cheese

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Melt 3 tbsp butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots; sprinkle with salt and pepper as desired. Cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, covered, until shallots are deep brown, stirring often, about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, cook macaroni in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally; drain well. Reserve pan. Bring half and half and hot sauce to simmer in same saucepan over medium heat. Toss cheddar cheese and flour together in medium bowl to coat; add to half and half mixture. Whisk until sauce is smooth and just returns to simmer, about 2 minutes. Mix in pasta. Spread pasta mixture in prepared dish. Top with shallots, then goat cheese. Sprinkle with pepper. Bake until heated through, about 15 minutes.