Ingredients
- 1 pound penne or elbow macaroni
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk, heated
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups finely chopped American cheese
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the penne and cook until al dente. Drain well.
Preheat the oven to 350°F, and butter a deep 4-quart casserole dish.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low, add the nutmeg, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1 cup of the American cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Combine the remaining cheddar and American cheeses. Spread one third of the penne over the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with half of the shredded cheese and a third of the sauce. Repeat, using another third of the penne with the remaining cheese and half of the sauce. Finish with the remaining penne and sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake until bubbly and golden brown around the edges, about 30 minutes.
Serves 6-8