Gourmet Mac & Cheese

Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese

• Ingredients

1 butternut squash (approximately 2 pounds), peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pancetta, diced
1 shallot, minced
12 ounces cavatappi* pasta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups Tuscan blend shredded cheese mix
1-1½ tablespoons fresh-chopped sage
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese

*Cavatappi are short (1-inch) tubular corkscrew or spiral-shaped pasta, native to southern Italy.

• Topping

1 tablespoon unsalted sweet cream butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1-1½ tablespoons fresh chopped sage
½ cup Tuscan blend shredded cheese mix

• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F / 230°C

2. In a large bowl, toss butternut squash pieces with olive oil. Spread squash pieces in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway. Remove when squash is tender and caramel brown. Set aside and reduce oven heat to 350°F.

3. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add cavatappi and cook approximately 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain well.
4. 0n the stovetop, cook the pancetta over medium heat in a skillet for 6 minutes. Add shallots and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.

5. In a 2-quart sauce pan, melt butter. Add flour and, stirring constantly, cook approximately 2 minutes or until golden brown. Add milk and cream in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly until smooth. Stir in 2 cups of cheese and stir until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in 1-1/2 tablespoons of chopped sage. Add 1 teaspoon black pepper, or add to taste.

6. Mix cooked cavatappi, cheese sauce and pancetta together in a large bowl. Gently fold in roasted butternut squash and crumbled goat cheese. Pour into a lightly greased 9" x 13" baking pan.

7. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the microwave in a large glass bowl. Stir in sage, cheese and bread crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the pasta mixture in the pan.

8. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.

9. Turn on broiler (grill) and move pan to the top rack of the oven. Brown for 3 minutes or until golden brown.

10. Remove from oven and wait 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle each serving with minced fresh sage, if desired.

Source: Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese ~ The Nibble.com