Alfredo Mac and Cheese

My number two son asked me the other day if I had ever come across a recipe for Mac & Cheese Alfredo. He loves Fettuccine Alfredo, but prefers the smaller noodle. It hadn’t occurred to me, so I went looking for one. I found a couple of them, and they seemed unnecessarily complicated. Macaroni and cheese is peasant food. It is supposed to be an easy dish to put together and serve to the family. Recipes that require jumping through hoops no longer interest me. When I got to thinking about it, I figured that, based upon my comfort culinary experience, I could come up with one on my own. Here it is, and it’s a good one -- all of the convenience and comfort of macaroni and cheese, with the taste of Alfredo!

Alfredo Mac and Cheese

 2 c. rotini, cooked al dente*

1 c. whole milk

1 c. heavy cream

2 T. butter 

2 T. flour

1/8 t. white pepper

1/8-¼   t. kosher salt

2 t. Melissa’s minced garlic

½ c. Parmesan cheese, finely grated

1 c. mozzarella cheese, grated

Few gratings fresh nutmeg

 Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 1.5 quart baking dish with PAM; set aside.

 In the same pan that you have cooked your pasta, i.e., while it is still warm, melt the butter over medium heat. When the butter is melted, whisk in flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add garlic, continuing to whisk, and cook for 30 seconds. Slowly add milk and cream, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking regularly, until it begins to thicken. Add Parmesan cheese, whisking until it has melted, remove from heat, and whisk in nutmeg. Taste for seasoning. If you think it needs more salt, pepper, or nutmeg, now is the time to add it.

 Add half of the cooked pasta to the prepared dish. Pour on half of the sauce and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers of pasta and sauce and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top. Grate a bit of fresh nutmeg over the top.

 Bake for 45-60 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the top just starts to lightly brown.

Serve.

 *I like cellentani, because I think it’s more fun, but use your favorite pasta.

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