Wild Mushroom Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 pound cut pasta, such as cavatappi, macaroni or medium shells
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps sliced 1/2-inch
- 1 portobello mushroom, diced
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Chardonnay, optional
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 quart half and half
- 3/4 pound Gruyere, grated, about 3 cups
- 1/2 pound sharp cheddar, grated, about 2 cups
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan, about 2 ounces
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley or mixed fresh herbs
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and reserve 1 cup of water.2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot, add the mushrooms and shallots and cook over medium heat until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the mustard, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook about 1 minute more. Add the remaining butter and when melted, whisk in the flour. Let the flour toast slightly, about 1 minute. Add white wine (optional) and the Worcestershire sauce. Cook until the wine reduces slightly and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the half and half and continue to cook until the mixture begins to thicken slightly, whisking occasionally, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 2 cups of the Gruyere, 1 cup of cheddar and 1/4 cup of parmesan and cook until the cheese melts and the sauce is thick and creamy. Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the pasta to the sauce and then stir until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Transfer the pasta to a 9 x 13 oven-proof casserole dish. Top the macaroni and cheese with the remaining gruyere and cheddar. Combine the panko with the remaining parmesan cheese and herbs. Sprinkle the herbed crumbs over the pasta and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 40 minutes.
Serves: 6-8
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes