SPICY SHARP CHEDDAR PASTA BAKE

Spicy Sharp Cheddar Pasta Bake image

Elevate your mac and cheese game with cavatappi pasta and a blend of cheeses. You'll need panko bread crumbs, too, for a crispy finishing touch.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories Home

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings, 1 cup each

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups cavatappi, uncooked
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, divided
1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
Meanwhile, combine cheeses; set aside. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in large saucepan on low heat. Add peppers and garlic; cook 30 sec. Add flour; cook and stir 2 min. or until hot and bubbly. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to boil on medium heat, stirring constantly; simmer on low heat 3 to 5 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add 1-1/2 cups cheese mixture; stir until melted.
Drain pasta. Add to cheese sauce; mix well. Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cheese mixture. Melt remaining butter in small skillet on medium heat. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until lightly toasted. Sprinkle over cheese mixture.
Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Sodium 360 mg, Carbohydrate 32 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 5 g, Protein 15 g