Three Cheese Pasta Bake

This takes a while to make but it's worth it

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, plus
• 2  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour, plus
• 1  tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 5  cups milk
• 1  lb mild cheddar cheese, shredded (about 4 cups)
• 8  ounces Fontina cheese, rind removed, shredded
• 3⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 2  teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2  lbs  penne rigate
• 1  cup  fresh breadcrumb
•  chopped flat leaf parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, melt 6 tbsp of the butter in a 2 qt saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until blended; cook 1 minute, whisking. Slowly whisk in milk; bring to a boil, whisking. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; add cheddar, Fontina, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, whisking until sauce is smooth. Whisk in mustard, salt and pepper.
2. Heat oven to 350°F Butter a large 3 qt baking dish with 2 tbsp of the butter. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than the recommended time on package, until slightly undercooked. Drain.
3. Combine pasta and cheese sauce; transfer to prepared baking dish.
4. Melt remaining 2 tbsp butter; mix with breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over pasta. (If making ahead, place crumb mixture in a food storage bag; refrigerate; sprinkle over pasta before baking.) Bake until top is golden and sauce is bubbling, about 40 minutes. Garnish with parsley.