My sister and I are complete opposites. Just look at a picture of the two of us! Mary Ashley is a blond, I'm a brunette. She likes sweet, I prefer salty. I love my mother's homemade cheese sauce macaroni, and although I'm sure Mary Ashley loves it as well, she always asked for the fake mac and cheese from the blue box. In honor of my sister getting her first full time job, I thought I'd give her a more grown up mac and cheese recipe. She can mix everything up after a long day of work (or make it the night before), pour into her cast iron skillet and bake. The panko and cheese layer on top adds a deliciously satisfying crunch. I used a mixture of Parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella to add complexity. Congratulations Mary Ashley!
Grown Up Macaroni and Cheese2 cups elbow pasta
2 eggs, beaten
3 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons all- purpose flour
2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons paprika
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 ½ cups grated extra sharp cheddar cheese/Parmesan
1 cup panko
-Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Strain.
-Combine the next 8 ingredients in a bowl with the warm pasta. Pour into a greased 9 inch cast iron skillet or a 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and panko on top of the pasta.
-Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly in the middle.
