Modern Mac & Cheese
May
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x13 baking dish.
Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add salt and pasta. Cook 8 to 10 Minutes or until slightly soft. Drain well and set aside.
Heat oil in a medium saute pan and cook onions and optional mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 Minutes. Remove from heat and add to pasta.
In the same saute pan melt the butter over medium-high heat. When melted whisk in the flour. A whisk is important for preventing lumps. Allow mixture to bubble for 2 Minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk, one cup at a time. Simmer 5 Minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove sauce from heat and add the shredded cheese. Stir in the chili powder, paprika and salt. Combine sauce with pasta and spread into the prepared baking dish.
Stir together panko, Parmesan and butter until the crumbs are well coated. Sprinkle crumbs evenly over pasta.
Bake 30 Minutes or until the casserole is bubbling at the edges and the crumbs are toasted. Remove for the oven and let rest 10 Minutes before serving.
The accompanying photo clearly doesn’t show farfalle.
Thanks for pointing it out. I will update the recipe.
Excellent recipe! I would have never thought of using farfelle pasta for mac and cheese, but it makes it was the best shape for this dish.
Glad you liked it!