Martha's Macaroni and 3 Cheeses

Submitted by KathyP53

"This is a make-ahead version that's hard to beat!"

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus more for baking dish)
• coarse salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 lb medium pasta shell
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
• 4 ounces havarti cheese, coarsely grated
• 4 ounces muenster cheese
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 6 slices white bread

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Butter a shallow 4 quart baking dish (oval or round 9x13' rectangle . Set aside.
2. Generously salt boiling water; add pasta. Cook, according to package instructions, until 2 minutes short of al dente. Drain pasta, and return to pot.
3. While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Transfer 2 tbsp melted butter to a small bowl; set aside for topping. Add flour and mustard powder to remaining butter in saucepan. Cook, whisking, for 1 minute. Do not let flour darken. Whisk in milk. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium low, and simmer until sauce is thickened, 2-3 minutes.
4. Remove sauce from heat. Gradually whisk in cheeses; add Worcestershire sauce, and season generously with salt and pepper. Add sauce to pasta, and toss to combine; transfer to prepared baking dish.
5. Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until top is golden and sauce is bubbling, 15-20 minutes (if refrigerated, bake for 30-35 minutes). Cool for 5 minutes before serving.