THE ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE

THE ULTIMATE MACARONI AND CHEESE image

Yield 10-12 side dishes

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 3/4 cups small elbow macaroni
1 1/4 cups 1/2-in. cubes extra-sharp cheddar cheese (about 5 oz.)
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/3 cups half and half
1 1/3 cups whipping cream
2/3 cups sour cream
2 large eggs
3/4 teaspoon Worcestshire sauce
1 1/4 cups packed grated extra -sharp cheddar cheese (about 5 oz.)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter 13x9x2 glass baking dish. Cook macaroni in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta. Transfer to prepared dish. Mix in cubed cheese. Whisk flour, salt, mustard, black pepper, cayenne pepper and nutmeg in medium bowl until no lumps remain. Gradually whisk in half and half, then whipping cream and sour cream. Add eggs and Worcestshire sauce; whisk to blend. Pour over macaroni mixture; stir to blend. Sprinkle grated cheese over. Bake macaroni and cheese until just set around edges but sauce is still liquid in center. About 25 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes to thicken slightly (sauce will be creamy).