Farmhouse penne

By barbknott

Ingredients

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

Preparation

Step 1

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.
TEST-KITCHEN TIP
Unlike 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.
Hungry for More? If you have a question about this recipe, contact our Test Kitchen at [e-mail]. To see more recipes like this one, check out our Comfort Food Slideshow.
KEYWORDS: pasta recipes, Italian food, English food, main dishes, dinner food
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