Mac & Cheese with Pancetta
(from Bon Appetit's September 2008 Restaurant Issue)
Serves 10.
INGREDIENTS
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, divided
- 4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups (or more) whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 8-ounce container mascarpone cheese
- 1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 1 pound orchiette or large elbow macaroni
Melt 1 T butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta; saute until crisp, about 6 minutes. Add onion; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add crushed red pepper and garlic; stir 1 minute. Stir in 3 T of butter; allow to melt, then add flour and stir 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 3 1/2 cups milk; simmer until thick enough to coat spoon thickly, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in cheeses. (This can be made 1 day ahead. Chill uncovered until cool; cover and chill. Rewarm, stirring over medium heat.)
Melt 4 T butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add panko and stir until very light golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley. (This can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
Preheat over to 350. Lightly butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well. Return pasta to pot. Add warm cheese sauce; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.* Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over. Bake mac and cheese until heated through and topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
*Note: If you want to make this already amazing dish even better, pour half the mac and cheese mixture into the dish. Top with a layer of sliced, fresh buffalo mozzarella. Top with remaining pasta mixture and breadcrumbs and bake as directed.