Laura's Crumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta
- 4 slices day old oat bread or 4 slices whole wheat bread
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 lb pancetta, cut into 1/2 inch dice
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 12 cups whole milk
- 14 cup flour, plus
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- 3 cups white cheddar cheese, grated
- 3 cups gruyere cheese, grated
- 2 cups Fontina cheese, grated
- 34 teaspoon grated nutmeg (don't use preground)
- fresh ground pepper
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta for 8 minutes; pasta will be slightly undercooked.
- Drain, rinsed with cold water, and drain again.
- Pulse bread in food processr until coarse crumbs form (about 2 3/4 cups).
- Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat.
- Add pancetta, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crisp, 9-10 minutes.
- Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.
- Reserve 1 1/2 tablespoons pancetta drippings in pan.
- Melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat with drippings.
- Add breadcrumbs, and cook, stirring to coat, until they are light gold and beginning to crisp, about 8 minutes.
- Transfer to a plate.
- Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming (Do not let milk come to a boil) Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add flour to butter, whisking until smooth.
- Add milk slowly, whisking constantly until combined.
- Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until thickened, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Add cheeses, and stir until melted.
- Stir in reserved pancetta, nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoons salt.
- Season with pepper.
- Preheat oven to 350F Place pasta in a 9-inch round baking dish that's 3-inches deep.
- Stir in cheese sauce, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Spread bread crumbs on top.
- Pace dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until crumbs are deep golden brown and sauce is bubbling, about 20 minutes.
- Serve hot.
cavatappi pasta, bread, extra virgin olive oil, pancetta, butter, milk, flour, flour, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, fontina cheese, nutmeg, fresh ground pepper
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/lauras-crumb-topped-macaroni-and-cheese-341680 (may not work)