Sharp Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

Categories: Pasta

Ingredients

• 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
• 2 large eggs
• 1 pound penne pasta

Directions

1. Lightly butter 15×10×2-inch baking dish or smaller individual ceramic bowls. 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).

2. Uncover saucepan; add flour. Stir 2 minutes. Add milk; bring to simmer, stirring often. Add cheese and mustard.

3. Stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Season cheese sauce to taste with salt.

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

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

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

7. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake pasta until cheese sauce is bubbling around edges and some ends of pasta are golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your container. Let stand 15 minutes. Serve hot.

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