Not Your Mom's Mac & Cheese

Photo: Chris Paulk

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups (1- 2 MEDIUM) LEEKS TRIMMED

2 tablespoons BUTTER

2 1/2 tablespoons FLOUR

2 cups HALF& HALF OR MILK

2 cups SHREDDED MEDIUM OR SHARP CHEDDAR

1/4 cup CRUMBLED BLUE CHEESE

1/2 tablespoon DIJON MUSTARD

3/4 teaspoon HOT PEPPER SAUCE

1/2 teaspoon SMOKED PAPRIKA

1/2 teaspoon CRACKED BLACK PEPPER

1 EGG

1/2 pound PENNE PASTA

2 slices BREAD (PREFERABLY FRENCH OR SOURDOUGH)

1 tablespoon BUTTER MELTED

Preparation

PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 400*.

LIGHTLY BUTTER A BAKING DISH - SET ASIDE.

THINLY SLICE THE LEEKS INTO ROUNDS, WASH & DRAIN WELL. MELT THE BUTTER IN A SAUCEPAN.

ADD THE LEEKS AND COOK UNTIL THE LEEKS ARE TENDER- ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BEING CAREFUL NOT TO BROWN THE LEEKS.

ADD THE FLOUR AND STIR TO COAT THE LEEKS.

ADD THE HALF & HALF OR MILK AND STIR UNTIL SMOOTH.

ADD THE CHEDDAR, BLUE CHEESE, DIJON, HOT PEPPER SAUCE, SMOKED PAPRIKA AND PEPPER. STIR TO COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND THE CHEESE IS MELTED. TURN THE HEAT DOWN TO A LOW SIMMER.

COOK THE PASTA IN A SEPARATE PAN - COOKING IT A LITTLE AL-DENTE- IT WILL CONTINUE TO COOK IN THE OVEN.

DRAIN WELL AND SET ASIDE.

IN A SEPARATE BOWL, WHISK THE EGG. ADD THE EGG TO THE CHEESE MIXTURE AND STIR TO COMBINE WELL. ADD THE PASTA AND STIR TO COAT WELL.

POUR THE PASTA MIXTURE INTO THE BAKING DISH.

CUBE THE BREAD INTO SMALL CUBES AND MIX WITH THE MELTED BUTTER. SPRINKLE ON TOP OF THE PASTA AND CHEESE MIXTURE.

BAKE AT 400* FOR 25-30 MINUTES.

SERVE HOT.

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About

This twist on traditional Mac & Cheese, is a welcome relief for all the adults who ache for a grown up version.
Don’t despair, this tasty treat will be a kid favorite. Homey and heartwarming this will be your favorite too!
It starts with the basics, milk, cheese, dijon & pasta and adds leeks, blue cheese and smoked paprika for a mouthwatering finish.