BAKED PENNE WITH CHEDDAR AND LEEKS

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Baked Penne with Cheddar and Leeks image

Not your classic mac and cheese, which is thickened by a roux (a flour and butter mixture), this one uses eggs to make a rich, gooey custard. But be careful when adding the hot cheese sauce to the eggs; you'll need to whisk the sauce in slowly so that the eggs don't curdle.

Provided by Annacia * @Annacia

Categories     Casseroles

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup(s) (1/2 stick) butter
5 cup(s) chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 5 large)
1/4 cup(s) all purpose flour
3 1/2 cup(s) whole milk
1 pound(s) extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 4 cups packed)
1 tablespoon(s) dijon mustard
1 teaspoon(s) hot pepper sauce
2 large eggs
1 pound(s) penne pasta

Steps:

  • Lightly butter 15x10x2-inch baking dish. 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). Uncover saucepan; add flour. Stir 2 minutes.
  • Add milk; bring to simmer, stirring often. Add cheese, mustard, and pepper sauce. Stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Season cheese sauce to taste with salt.
  • Whisk eggs in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 1 cup cheese sauce. Stir egg mixture into cheese sauce in saucepan.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Return to pot.
  • Stir cheese sauce into pasta in pot. Transfer to prepared baking dish. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake pasta until cheese sauce is bubbling around edges and some ends of pasta are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes. Serve hot.

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