Three Cheese Pasta Bake

Total Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, plus
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 5 cups milk
• 1 lb mild cheddar cheese, shredded (about 4 cups)
• 8 ounces fontina cheese, rind removed, shredded
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 lbs penne rigate
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumb
• chopped flat leaf parsley, for garnish

Recipe

• 1 bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. meanwhile, melt 6 tbsp of the butter in a 2 qt saucepan over medium heat. whisk in flour until blended; cook 1 minute, whisking. slowly whisk in milk; bring to a boil, whisking. reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. remove from heat; add cheddar, fontina, and 1/4 cup of the parmesan, whisking until sauce is smooth. whisk in mustard, salt and pepper.
• 2 heat oven to 350°f butter a large 3 qt baking dish with 2 tbsp of the butter. cook pasta 2 minutes less than the recommended time on package, until slightly undercooked. drain.
• 3 combine pasta and cheese sauce; transfer to prepared baking dish.
• 4 melt remaining 2 tbsp butter; mix with breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese; sprinkle over pasta. (if making ahead, place crumb mixture in a food storage bag; refrigerate; sprinkle over pasta before baking.) bake until top is golden and sauce is bubbling, about 40 minutes. garnish with parsley.