ULTIMATE MAC 'N' CHEESE

Ultimate Mac 'n' Cheese image

Provided by Manami

Categories Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

8 ounces penne or 8 ounces other tube shaped pasta
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
3 1/2 tablespoons butter or 3 1/2 tablespoons margarine
1/2 cup finely chopped shallot
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups dry white wine
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
7 ounces gruyere, grated
3 ounces aged gouda cheese, grated
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
1 teaspoon minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1/8 teaspoon red crushed red pepper flakes
tabsaco hot sauce (optional)
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
4 ounces crusty sourdough bread, torn into large pieces (about 1/4 loaf)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°.
Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot of boiling, well-salted water until tender to the bite, 7 to 12 minutes.
Drain, but do not rinse.
In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
Add shallots and cook until light golden, about 3 minutes.
Sprinkle shallot-butter mixture with flour; cook, stirring often, 1 minute.
Add wine; stir, picking up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add cream and stir well.
Sprinkle in cheeses, one large handful at a time, stirring until each handful is almost melted before adding the next.
Stir in 2 tablespoons chives, mustard, 1/4 teaspoons salt, cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, and nutmeg.
Stir cooked pasta into cheese mixture, then pour all into a 2-qt. baking dish.
In a food processor, pulse bread with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoons chives, and 1/4 teaspoons salt until coarse bread crumbs form.
Sprinkle bread crumbs over pasta and cheese and bake until top is browned and cheese is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes.
Enjoy!