OMG Mac ‘n Cheese!
photo by Marty Fredericks
- Ready In:
- 55mins
- Ingredients:
- 14
- Yields:
-
1 9x13
- Serves:
- 8
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
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta halfway through according to package directions.
- Drain the pasta.
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add the breadcrumbs and sauté, stirring frequently, until toasty brown.
- Pour the breadcrumbs into a bowl and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter.
- Pour in the milk and cayenne.
- Add the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack and melt until a smooth sauce forms.
- Fold the pasta into the cheese sauce in the skillet.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper, but I like to let the person spice their serving with salt and pepper to their liking.
- Pour the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Top the mac and cheese with the panko breadcrumbs.
- Cover and bake for 25 minutes, removing the lid for the last 5-10 minutes.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Marty Fredericks
U.S. - Virgin Islands