Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 663kcal
Equipment
- Large pot
- Cheese grater
- Whisk or fork
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta shells or elbows work best
- 1 1/2 cups whole or 2% milk divided
- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon powdered mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Add pasta to a large pot and add cold water, filling to about 1 cm above the pasta.
- Add a generous pinch of salt and bring pasta to a boil over high heat.
- Cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente. It will continue to cook after adding the sauce, so try not to overcook it.
- Drain pasta and drizzle with olive oil in the colander so the pasta doesn't stick together.
- Return the pot to the stove and, over medium heat, add one cup of milk.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining half cup of milk and the tablespoon of flour until there are no lumps.
- Add the mixture in the bowl to the pot of milk and continue to stir slowly for 2 or 3 minutes. The milk will begin to thicken.
- Turn the heat down to low and start adding handfuls of cheddar and parmesan cheese into the milk, stirring to incorporate each time. Continue until all the shredded cheese has been added to the pot.
- Stir in the cream cheese, powdered mustard, kosher salt, and smoked paprika.
- Taste the sauce and add any additional seasonings if needed. Then add the cooked pasta back to the pot and toss to combine with the sauce.
- Serve (maybe topped with bacon?) and enjoy! Delicious with a green vegetable like broccoli, or a side salad.
Nutrition
Sodium: 503mg | Potassium: 127mg | Cholesterol: 78mg | Calories: 663kcal | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Fat: 30g | Protein: 28g | Carbohydrates: 73g
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