Macaroni And Cheese From Rebar

Total Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 6 cups dry pasta, shapes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup chopped oregano
• 2 tablespoons chopped thyme
• 1/2 cup chopped italian parsley
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup unbleached flour
• 4 cups grated aged cheddar cheese (about 330g)
• 4 cups fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup pine nuts

Recipe

• 1 *i would use a bit less pasta, maybe 5 cups, because i like lots of sauce.
• 2 **fresh herbs are best of course but dried works fine too.
• 3 ***4 pieces of bread ripped up.
• 4 cook pasta in boiling, salted water until just done. strain and toss with a light coating of olive oil. set aside or refrigerate. (this step can be done one day in advance.).
• 5 meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil in a small skillet and sauté onion for 5 minutes. add half of the minced garlic, 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) salt and sauté until the garlic turns golden. transfer to a small bowl and stir in half of the chopped herbs. set aside.
• 6 next, make a roux for the cheese sauce. gently heat the milk and keep it warm. set a saucepan over medium heat and melt the butter. sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly as the flour and butter turn golden. gradually add the warm milk and 1 tsp (5ml) salt and whisk thoroughly. heat until the sauce thickens (about 10 minutes). add the sautéed onion/herb mix, grated cheese and stir until the cheese melts. season to taste.
• 7 finally, make the topping. combine the breadcrumbs with the remaining garlic, herbs, parmesan, pine nuts, 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) salt, plenty of cracked pepper and the remaining 3 tbsp (45ml) olive oil. mix together thoroughly.
• 8 preheat the oven to 350°f.
• 9 to assemble, combine the noodles and cheese sauce in a large bowl and mix well. pour into an oiled 8 x12-inch dish.* scatter the topping over the entire surface, working some of it into the noodles. bake uncovered until golden and bubbly (about 45 minutes). serve piping hot.
• 10 *not necessary to oil the dish.