MACARONI WITH THREE CHEESES

MACARONI WITH THREE CHEESES image

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 pound medium pasta shells
2 3/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 1/4 cups (packed) grated white cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
3/4 cup (packed grated Gruyere cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/2 cup (packed) grated Fontina cheese (about 3 ounces)
6 tablespoons panko (Japanese bread crumbs)* or fresh breadcrumbs

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Meanwhile, bring milk to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. When butter foams, add flour. Stir until pale golden brown, about 1 minute. Whisk in hot milk. Cook over medium heat unitl thick and bubbling, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in salt, black pepper, nutmeg and cayenne. Add cheeses and stir until melted and smooth. Divide pasta mixture between six 1 1/4-cup custard cups. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling. Switch oven to broil and brown tops of pasta until breadcrumbs are crispy and golden, about 1 - 2 minutes. Serve. *Available in Asian markets and in the Asian food section of some supermarkets.