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Creamy Cavatappi & Cheese
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 10
Dive fork first into oodles of noodles baked to bubbly perfection and coated with a to-die-for sharp cheddar cheese sauce in this grown-up mac and cheese. Hot sauce lends a mild heat that’s delectable with the smoky topping. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida
Ingredients:
6 cups uncooked cavatappi or spiral pasta
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup king arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
4 cups 2% milk
6 cups (24 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup cubed process cheese (velveeta)
3 green onions, chopped
toppings:
1/2 cup panko (japanese) bread crumbs
3 thick-sliced bacon strips, cooked and coarsley crumbled
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 green onion, chopped
coarsely ground pepper, optional
Directions:
1. Cook cavatappi according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, saute garlic in butter in a Dutch oven. Stir in flour and pepper sauce until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
3. Stir in cheeses until melted; add green onions. Drain cavatappi; stir into cheese mixture.
4. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine the bread crumbs, bacon and melted butter; sprinkle over top.
5. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with green onion and, if desired, pepper. Yield: 10 servings.
By RecipeOfHealth.com