Lasagne Style Mac And Cheese With Pepperoni

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb lasagna noodle
• olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter, plus
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 2 1/2 cups grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 4 ounces grated cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 lb pepperoni, sliced thin
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumb

Recipe

• 1 fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. add 1 tablespoon salt carefully add the lasagna noodles. return to a boil, reduce the heat to a low boil and cook for about 5 minutes, or until pasta is very al dente (slightly undercooked). drain in a colander, rinse slightly and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
• 2 in a heavy, medium saucepan melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over low heat. add the garlic and then the flour and stir to combine. cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. increase the heat to medium and whisk in the half-and-half little by little. cook until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. remove from the heat; add 2 cups of the grated parmesan. season with the salt, pepper and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. cover and set aside.
• 3 preheat the oven to 375 degrees f.
• 4 in a large bowl combine 1/4 cup parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella. toss to combine.
• 5 grease a 3-quart baking dish or casserole with 1 tablespoon of butter. spread a ladle full of sauce on the bottom of the pan. cover the sauce with a single layer of cooked lasagna noodles. spread another ladle full of sauce on top of noodles. sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese mixture. top with 1/3 of the sliced pepperoni. repeat with remaining ingredients for 2 more layers.
• 6 sprinkle 1/2 cup bread crumbs onto top of lasagna and top with remaining grated parmesan, 1/4 cup. bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes or until the lasagna is bubbly and hot and the top is golden brown. remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.