modern mac and cheese

i found this recipe in my chatelaine magazine with the tag line:
"if you think your recipe for this comfort-food fave couldn't be more decadent, think again. our three-cheese version is over-the-top and utterly delish"
SOLD!

Yesterday was a very rainy day, so I decided a little comforting warm supper dish was in order.

here is the recipe. i modified it a bit.. i didn't have goat cheese, so i used ricotta, since that's what i had in my fridge.

ingredients:
1 lb (500 g) extra-old cheddar cheese
1/2 lb (250 g) mozzarella cheese
8 slices bacon, cooked
450 g pkg small pasta, such as penne, macaroni or fusilli
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
generous pinch of cayenne
3 1/2 cups milk
113 g pkg creamy goat cheese, crumbled or 1/2 8 oz pkg cream cheese, cut into cubes
1/3 cup snipped chives


1. preheat the oven to 450 degrees. bring a large, wide saucepan filled with water to a boil. meanwhile, cut half of cheddar into 1/2 inch cubes and set aside. grate remaining cheddar and all of the mozzarella into a medium bowl. toss to mix. set 1 cup of cheese mixture aside. crumble or slice bacon into small pieces

2. cook pasta, following package directions, until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. drain well. return to pan. meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. when bubbly, sprinkle flour overtop. using a wooden spoon, stir constantly for 1 min. add seasonings and mustard. gradually pour in milk, continuously stirring and making sure to get into the corners. increase heat to medium-high. stir frequently until sauce comes to a gentle boil. remove from heat. gradually stir in grated cheddar-mozzarella mix (except for reserved amount).

3. pour cheese sauce over drained hot pasta and stir to evenly coat. crumble in goat cheese and add cheddar cubes, bacon and chives. stir to distribute.

4. turn into a 9x13 inch (3 L) baking dish. sprinkle with the reserved grated-cheese mix. place baking dish in centre of preheated oven. bake until bubbly and cheese on top is melted and golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

 all ingredients lined up ready to go!

ready for the oven!

enjoy!!