Can be baked in a large casserole dish or individual portions~
A blogger very near and dear to many of us suffered a major loss this week. She lost two treasured family members in a horrific car accident. Monet is the first to offer kind words when one of us is hurting…her lyrical prose has touched many hearts. So to honor a friend, I cooked up a comforting casserole for my family. Food has a way of nourishing our bodies and souls and bringing us together.
This is truly comfort food…chock full of two cheeses with a punch of flavor from the mustard and cayenne, it warms you from the inside out. The crisp topping of bread crumbs provides a lovely contrast to the creamy sauce and pasta. I know this will become a favorite of yours, too.
Macaroni and Cheese…adapted from Annie’s Eats
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound pasta, I used orecchiette, cute pasta shaped like little ears
6 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 tablespoons flour
2 1/4 cups chicken broth
3 1/2 cups milk
1 pound colby jack cheese, shredded
8 ounce sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper to taste
Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet. Add bread crumbs and cook, stirring frequently, till crumbs are golden brown. Remove from heat and season to taste.
Preheat oven to 400º. Cook pasta in large pot of salted water…you may prefer to slightly under-cook so that the pasta does not get too soft in the oven. Drain and set aside.
In the same pot you made the pasta, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter. Stir in garlic, mustard and cayenne. Cook just a minute, then whisk in flour, cooking and stirring till flour starts to brown, about a minute. Whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring occasionally till mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Remove from heat, add cheeses, and stir till melted and well mixed. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.
Put pasta into greased 9 x 13 casserole dish (or into individual oven-safe dishes). If your casserole is full, place it on a baking sheet to catch drips. Top with crumbs and bake about 30 minutes till bubbly.
This recipe is linked to Your Recipe, My Kitchen.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I have had 100′s literally of mac and cheese versions, I have never found one I didn’t love ( secret even stouffers!) I am an addict. Don’t tell anyone… This with the topping is genius, a new way for me to try and this is an awesome shot of it… breakfast is bland today after seeing this!
Lozzie, I love macaroni and cheese and yours are so stunning!!! Amazingly delicious recipe!!
Haven’t had mac and cheese for a while….yours looks so great with the crunchy topping.
Oh yum! I love my mac and cheese with the breadcrumb topping too! Thanks for sharing this recipe…
Wow I love mac and cheese. Yours looks really amazing
It is always a hit at the table 
Tes
http://tesathome.com
I love the crunchy bread crumbs on top.
Nice looking mac and cheese and what an extremely sweet gesture! This is true comfort food
)
My guy loves a good macaroni and cheese. So comforting! Yummy!
I am such a sucker for Mac n Cheese. I mean, this is just one of the best dishes ever invented. Love the crunchy topping too. Mmmmmmm
My prayers are with Monet and her family. Such a tragic loss. She has been on my mind and in my heart.
Brandie
We just made a batch of mac and cheese for our event this weekend and I only got to taste just a little bit. This looks so good and makes me want to make a big pan just for my family. Have a great Monday Lizzy!
This is serious mac and cheese. Can’t wait to try it!
Sorry to hear about the loss. What a great way to help your family through it with this great recipe!
So sorry to hear of Monet’s losses. This looks like just the comfort dish we can all use.
Very similar to the mac and cheese I posted a few weeks ago from our local cook book. I’ve never been a fan of it, but that recipe sure was a hit.
Yummy!!! We’ll have to try this next time
I’m sure my daughter would love it! Thanks Liz!!!
Wow Liz……I must make this recipe! You have no idea how much I could use some soft comfort food right now! So sorry about your friend’s loss. Very sad.
This looks great, Liz! Can’t wait to try it!
This really does look like the best comfort food ever.
love the topping. looks so yummy
First off, I love that you have served this with beets (in your first photo). Second, it sounds deliciously rich, and I love your choice of pasta! It reminds me of when my Mom would use shells when I was a kid! The dish as looks wonderful with the crispy topping, yum!
This is pure comfort food…perfect anytime.