jim's mac and cheese gratin

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1/2 pound penne pasta
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups (such as goose island® honkers )
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2 pound gruyere cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ready Time: 1 hr 15 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). butter a baking dish.
• bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. drain and transfer to a bowl.
• heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. whisk flour into melted butter until a thick paste (roux) forms, about 2 minutes. add nutmeg; cook and stir until incorporated, about 1 minute. gradually pour and milk into roux, whisking constantly until smooth; bring to a boil. reduce heat to medium low and simmer sauce for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• remove skillet from heat; stir 2/3 of the cheddar cheese and 2/3 of the gruyere cheese into the sauce until melted. pour sauce over pasta and stir to coat; spoon into the prepared baking dish. sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and gruyere cheese over pasta mixture; top with bread crumbs.
• bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and cheese is melted, about 40 minutes.