Baked Penne with Farmhouse Cheddar and Leeks

(Look at all those leeks!!!)

I am constantly in search of the best Mac 'N' Cheese recipe. I grew up on the blue box, but as of late, I've been wanting to try something a little bit outside the "box".

I've tried Mascarpone Mac 'N' Cheese, Mac 'N' Cheese with Pancetta, and now this. This was probably my least favorite of the three. I'll post the recipe if you feel like trying it out.

(And all that chheeeeessseeee!!)

Baked Penne with Farmhouse Cheddar and Leeks
From: Bon Appetit, March 2009

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
5 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 5 large)
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk
1 pound extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 4 cups packed)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 large eggs
1 pound penne pasta

Lightly butter 15x10x2-inch baking dish. Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks; stir to coat. Cover saucepan and cook until leeks are tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes (do not brown). Uncover saucepan; add flour. Stir 2 minutes. Add milk; bring to simmer, stirring often. Add cheese, mustard, and pepper sauce. Stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Season cheese sauce to taste with salt.

Whisk eggs in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 1 cup cheese sauce. Stir egg mixture into cheese sauce in saucepan.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Return to pot.

Stir cheese sauce into pasta in pot. Transfer to prepared baking dish. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake pasta until cheese sauce is bubbling around edges and some ends of pasta are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Let stand 15 minutes. Serve hot.

Serves: 8

Adam thought there were too many leeks, I thought the cheese was almost a little grainy. Like I said, not our favorite.

Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories 574	Calories from fat 278
% Daily Value
Total Fat 30.8g	47%
Saturated Fat 18.2g	91%
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 180mg	60%
Sodium 501mg	21%
Total Carbs 47.6g	16%
Dietary Fiber 1.2g	5%
Sugars 8.2g
Protein 26.9g
Vitamin A 37%	Vitamin C 11%
Calcium 58%	Iron 22%