Not Yo' Mama's Mac 'n' Cheese

Submitted by mailbelle

"This stuff is rich! Uses three kinds of cheese: sharp white Cheddar, smoked Gouda, and Parmesan. This is a specialty of John's City Diner in Birmingham, Alabama."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 8-10

ingredients

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 1 (4 ounce) package thinly sliced prosciutto
• 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1⁄4 cup dry white wine
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1 bay leaf
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 (10 ounce) blocks sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces shredded smoked gouda cheese
• 2 ounces shredded parmesan cheese

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Bake breadcrumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet 5 to 7 minutes or until golden, stirring once after 2 1/2 minutes.
2. Cook prosciutto, in batches, in a lightly greased large skillet over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until crisp. Drain on paper towels; crumble.
3. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
4. Meanwhile, melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add shallot, and sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Add wine, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of Dutch oven, and cook 1 minute.
5. Gradually whisk in flour until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and next 4 ingredients; cook, whisking constantly, 12 to 14 minutes or until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Remove and discard bay leaf.
6. Place 4 cups (16 oz.) Cheddar cheese in a large heatproof bowl. Reserve remaining Cheddar cheese for another use. Add Gouda and Parmesan cheeses to bowl.
7. Gradually pour white sauce over cheeses, whisking until cheeses are melted and sauce is smooth.
8. Stir in pasta and prosciutto until blended. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
9. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until bubbly. Serve immediately.

Reviews

[Gay Gilmore]

I was looking for a particular mac n cheese + prosciutto recipe that Liza at Recipezaar made for me once before. After 30 minutes of searching I still couldn't find it so I settled on this one. This was good, but it wasn't *that one*. I felt crisping the meat lost too much of the flavor. The panko was too crunchy too or perhaps there was too much of it. I still liked this recipe, but I can't help but compare it to what could have been... ;) Would make again.

 

[francescalove16]

This is by far one of the tastiest, richest side dishes I have ever had in my life! Its truly amazing! It will easily be the hit of any dinner!!! DO TRY!