Sharp Cheddar Mac & Cheese

prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

servings: 8

Who doesn't love creamy, cheesy mac and cheese? It's the ultimate warming comfort food made with Cabot's award-winning, flavorful cheddar cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners or for a weekend potluck - your family and friends will love it.

Ingredients

16 ounces dry penne, large elbows or shells
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
½ cup King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
4 cups hot 2% milk
16 ounces Cabot Seriously Sharp Shredded Cheddar, or your favorite Cabot Cheddar, grated (about 4 cups)
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs

Directions

COOK pasta until almost tender (al dente) in large pot of boiling salted water. Drain well, transfer to large bowl and set aside.
PREHEAT oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease 9-by-13-inch baking dish and set aside.
MELT butter in heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour a little at a time until well blended. Continue stirring for a minute or two longer to lightly cook the flour.
WHISK in milk gradually and continue stirring until sauce is thickened. Add the shredded cheese and stir until melted and blended.
REDUCE heat to low and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes longer.
REMOVE sauce from heat. Add about half of sauce to reserved cooked pasta, mixing well. Add remaining sauce and mix again.
SPREAD mixture in buttered baking dish. Top with panko crumbs. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Tags:Recipe, Mac & Cheese, Entrees, Kid Friendly, Vegetarian, Comfort Food, Back to School

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Directions

COOK pasta until almost tender (al dente) in large pot of boiling salted water. Drain well, transfer to large bowl and set aside.
PREHEAT oven to 375ºF. Lightly grease 9-by-13-inch baking dish and set aside.
MELT butter in heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour a little at a time until well blended. Continue stirring for a minute or two longer to lightly cook the flour.
WHISK in milk gradually and continue stirring until sauce is thickened. Add the shredded cheese and stir until melted and blended.
REDUCE heat to low and cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes longer.
REMOVE sauce from heat. Add about half of sauce to reserved cooked pasta, mixing well. Add remaining sauce and mix again.
SPREAD mixture in buttered baking dish. Top with panko crumbs. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.