rockstar mac and cheese

this recipe might not have come from a rockstar, but it did come from naomi of rockstar diaries. and it makes you feel like a rockstar, because this right here is some dang good mac and cheese.

the blend of cheeses in this recipe is really great. if you aren't normally a blue cheese fan, you can definitely use something else, but i promise it is super mild (you really won't even know it's there!) and it gives a nice tang. just try it. :)

the original recipe calls for pancetta, which sounds DE-licious, but we're trying to cut down on our meat a bit over here, so i left it out. if you'd like to add it in, just leave out the salt called for and season to taste (pancetta is very salty, so you won't need much - if any - at all).

oh... and happy new years eve!!!! cheers to 2013!

rockstar mac and cheese (adapted from naomi's recipe on cup of jo)
serves 4-6

you'll need:
1/2 lb. penne pasta
1 cup milk (i used 2%)
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup asiago cheese, shredded
1/3 cup fontina cheese, shredded
1/3 cup blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

preheat oven to 375 degrees F. spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

in a well-salted pot of boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions. when done, drain and set aside.

while pasta is cooking, heat butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. when butter is melted, sprinkle in flour and, whisking constantly, cook for about 3 minutes. add in milk, salt and pepper and whisk until completely smooth. cook for about 5 minutes, or until sauce is very thick. turn heat down to low.

add in 3/4 cup asiago, 1/3 cup fontina, and 1/3 cup blue cheese, one cheese at a time, stirring in between each addition. stir until completely melted and smooth. check for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.

pour in cooked pasta into the pot and stir until pasta is completely coated. pour into prepared baking dish. sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup asiago and panko breadcrumbs on top.

bake for 25 minutes. let stand about 10 minutes before serving. then dig in!!!

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