You Can't Have Too Many of These

Almost everyone has a favorite Mac and Cheese recipe. I find one that I love and make only that for a time. Then I find another one that is "just perfect" and I make that one. The truth is that all of them are wonderful and I find having a large repository of different recipes keeps things interesting. My latest "favorite" comes from Cowgirl Creamery Cooks. If you like Mac and Cheese, you will love this one. I have made this regular sharp cheddar and smoked cheddar. Each one was an icon of this classic comfort food. Whatever cheese you use, make sure that it is good quality. This is such a simple recipe that the taste of the cheese will shine through.

Classic Mac and Cheese

CLASSIC MAC AND CHEESE

(serves 4)

1. 2 tbsp unsalted butter
2. 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
3. 2 1/2 cups whole milk
4. 3/4 cup heavy cream
5. 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
6. 1 pound grating cheese
7. 1/4 tsp salt
8. Freshly ground black pepper
9. 1/4 tsp hot sauce
10. 12 ounces pasta (elbow or corkscrew)
11. 1 1/2 cups Panko or fresh bread crumbs
12. 3 tbsp grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a rack in the bottom third of the oven and butter a 3-quart baking dish. Set a large pot of unsalted water over high heat.

While the water heats, melt the butter in a large saucepan. When the butter has finished foaming, stir in the flour, whisking until the flour takes on a little color, about 3 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and pour in the milk slowly, while whisking continuously. Return the pan to medium heat. Stir until the mixture begins to thicken (about 5 minutes) and then take the pan off the heat again; stir in the cream, mustard and three-fourths of the cheese. Stir in the salt, a few grinds of pepper, and the hot sauce. Set the sauce aside.

Cook the pasta just until al dente. Drain (don't rinse) and quickly stir the pasta into the cheese sauce, then pour into the prepared pan, scraping all the cheese sauce into the dish Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese over the pasta. Sprinkle the Panko over the cheese and sprinkle the Parmesan on top of that.

Bake until the mixture is bubbling on the edges and showing some golden brown color on top, 25 to 35 minutes.Let the dish cook for at least 10 minutes before serving