WHITE WINE GRUYERE MAC AND CHEESE

WHITE WINE GRUYERE MAC AND CHEESE image

Number Of Ingredients 14

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish, and set aside.
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter on medium heat. Add chopped onion, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, while preparing the pasta and cheese. (Letting the onions cook over lower heat for a longer period of time allows the flavors to develop.)
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the shells, and cook 2 minutes less than directed on the package - it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain well and set aside.
Melt ½ cup butter in a large saucepan. Add flour and cook, whisking, for 1 minute. Add milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and whisk until combined.
Set aside about ½ cup shredded cheese. Add remaining cheese, about a cup at a time, and use a wooden spoon to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce has thickened.
Add the white wine, garlic salt, and chipotle powder, and stir until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Stir cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. Pour mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining ½ cup cheese, and a sprinkling of chipotle powder.
Bake for 20 minutes, until just the cheese is bubbling and just starting to brown on top.