Weddingbee boards

I LOVE mac and cheese, and I make it pretty often; I've been experimenting with different kinds/methods for years, but I think I made the very best kind ever last night.  I thought I'd share the recipe for anyone who was interested:

• 1 package small shells pasta (I think they hold the cheese better than macaroni)
• 2 tbs butter (plus some extra for the pan)
• 2-3 tbs flour
• 2 cups milk
• 5 (or more, if you like it real garlicky) cloves chopped garlic
• 1 cup shredded smoked mozzerella
• 1 cup shredded gruyere
• 1/2 cup shredded provolone
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
• 4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into strips
• salt and pepper to taste
• dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

1.  Start the pasta boiling.

2.  Melt the butter over medium-low (like a 4) heat; put the chopped garlic in and let it cook for a few minutes.  Add the flour one tbsp at a time to make a roux.  Let the roux cook down until it is light brown/dark gold.  Turn up the heat a little (like a 5 or 6).  Whisk in the milk, a little at a time, making sure that the roux completely dissolves each time before adding more milk.

3.  Add all of the cheese (except the parmesan) 1/2 cup at a time, making sure it completely melts down before adding more.  This should make the sauce super thick and cheesy.  Add the salt and pepper (you won't need much salt) and cayenne pepper, if desired.

4.  Butter a ceramic dish.  Drain the pasta, then put it into the dish.  Pour the sauce over top, stirring to make sure all the pasta gets covered.  Top the mac and cheese with the parmesan and the prosciutto, making sure to separate all of the pieces of proscuitto (otherwise, it will end up in one big clump). 

5.  Broil the mac and cheese at 550 for about 5 minutes; make sure to watch it so it doesn't burn.  The parmesan and proscuitto should be a nice, crispy layer on top.

6.  Enjoy! 

@TheFutureMcBride:  Make it tonight for dinner!  Or have your hubby do it.  ;)

Remember that pizza recipe I told you about?  Well, I had to use up all of my leftover supplies.  Apparently those ingredients make the best mac & cheese EVER.  I just wish we hadn't eaten the whole pan last night...  sigh.

@TheFutureMcBride:  Bwahahaha, I remember that feeling!  Well, tell him good luck; we're rooting for him!

@Lindsay05:  I swear the garlic and prosciutto made all the difference; it was awesome!

@TheFutureMcBride:  Lol!  McBride smash!

@gloss:  That looks really good; I'm going to have to try that one next!

MMMMMMM! That sounds amazing! I know I won't make it tonight but I'm bookmarking and going to add this to my recipe box. 

Thanks for sharing!!