Ingredients
- Unsalted butter, for the baking dish
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (1-inch-thick) slice pancetta, cut into small dice
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 cups whole milk, or more if needed, hot
- 4 large egg yolks, lightly whisked
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups (8 ounces) grated Asiago cheese, plus more for the top
- 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated Irish white cheddar, plus more for the top
- 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated American cheddar, such as Goot Essa Mountain Valley, plus more for the top
- 1 cup (4 ounces) grated aged fontina cheese, plus more for the top
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for the top
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked just under al dente
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 10 by 10 by 2-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels.
Add the garlic to the fat in the pan and cook until light golden brown, 1 minute. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the hot milk, raise the heat to high, and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the eggs until incorporated and let cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the thyme, cayenne, and all the different cheeses until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper. If the mixture appears too thick, add additional warm milk, 1/4 cup at a time.
Put the cooked macaroni in a large bowl, add the cheese sauce, reserved pancetta, and the parsley, and stir until combined. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Combine an additional 1/4 cup each of Asiago, cheddars, fontina, and Parmesan in a bowl, and sprinkle evenly over the top. Bake until the dish is heated through and the top is a light golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for
10 minutes before serving.


















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By sure-sure
Northern California
on January 07, 2013
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As mac & cheese goes, this one's pretty good. The only complaint I have is there are so many cheeses! They all blended well together, but didn't see the need for so many different kinds flavor-wise. Seems to me you can make a perfectly good one with fewer which equals a lot less trouble. Sorry Bobby, but Ina's got you beat on this one.
By CSiedlecki
on November 11, 2012
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There were dirty dishes all over the place when I was done making this, but it was worth it! I made my own macaroni, using 100% semolina. My local store did not have thick slices of pancetta, so I used diced proscuitto. I also used 1 tsp of cayenne, as I noticed another posting of this recipe called for that amount. I took it to a potluck, and it was gone in a flash. I wish I could eat more right now. Guess I'll have to make it again.
By candy T
Berrien Springs, MI
on October 27, 2012
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I agree with all the other reviewers, Best mac and cheese EVER!!!! You have to try it. I know you will love it like my family did. It did take some time but well worth it. I definitely will make this again. BOBBY YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!
Read all 22 reviews