Mac and Cheese with Sourdough Breadcrumbs

A luxurious mac and cheese featuring three types of cheese - sharp cheddar, Fontina, and Pecorino Romano - topped with crispy homemade sourdough breadcrumbs and fresh herbs. This elevated comfort food dish combines ziti pasta with a rich, creamy sauce and aromatic shallots and rosemary.

8 servings
1 hr 10 min

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup shallots
  • 1 tablespoon rosemary
  • 2 cups sourdough croutons
  • ¼ cup Italian parsley
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 3 cups cheddar cheese
  • 3 cups Fontina cheese
  • ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 8 cups ziti
  • 2 tablespoons Italian parsley

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and rosemary; sauté 5 minutes. Mix in croutons. Cool; stir in parsley.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Whisk flour, cayenne, and nutmeg in small bowl. Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add flour mixture; stir 1 minute (do not brown). Gradually whisk in milk and bring to simmer. Cook until sauce thickens, 4 to 5 minutes. Whisk 2 cups cheddar, 2 cups Fontina, and 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano into sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in pasta; remove from heat. Mix 1 cup cheddar, 1 cup Fontina, and 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano in small bowl. Layer half of pasta mixture, then cheese mixture in baking dish; repeat. Sprinkle with breadcrumb topping. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until topping is golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Top with chopped parsley.

    60 min

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