OMG Mac ‘n Cheese!

I took a recipe I found online and used it as the base for mine. This stuff is dynamite! This dish explodes with flavor…OMG Mac and Cheese has everything you want from mac and cheese: creamy, melty, stretchy cheese sauce with notes of cheddar, Colby Jack, and Monterey Jack. This makes a tender pasta/cheese with a topping of crunchy, toasted breadcrumbs. And OMG Mac ‘n Cheese is a dish where  everyone will want your recipe!  (bacon is optional) 

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 9x13

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 gallon salt water, for boiling
• 1 (16 ounce) package medium pasta shells
• 5  tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1  cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1  cup  whole milk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (this is a MUST in my version!)
• 8  ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 8  ounces monterey jack cheese, freshly shredded
• 8  ounces colby-monterey jack cheese, freshly shredded
• 2  tablespoons  salt for the water, plus enough to add on your serving per taste
•  pepper
• 1  teaspoon pepper
• 1  lb bacon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
3. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta halfway through according to package directions.
4. Drain the pasta.
5. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
6. Add the breadcrumbs and sauté, stirring frequently, until toasty brown.
7. Pour the breadcrumbs into a bowl and set it aside.
8. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter.
9. Pour in the milk and cayenne.
10. Add the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack and melt until a smooth sauce forms.
11. Fold the pasta into the cheese sauce in the skillet.
12. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, but I like to let the person spice their serving with salt and pepper to their liking.
13. Pour the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
14. Top the mac and cheese with the panko breadcrumbs.
15. Cover and bake for 25 minutes, removing the lid for the last 5-10 minutes.
16. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.