Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H5M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H25M0.000S
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/3 cup diced pancetta; 1/2 cup small-diced onion; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 2 tablespoons butter; 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3 cups half-and-half or milk; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon white pepper; 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg; 1 pound small shell pasta, cooked al dente; 4 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano; 4 ounces grated white Cheddar; 4 ounces grated Gruyere; 4 ounces grated fontina; 1/4 cup bread crumbs; 1/2 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows; 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika; 2 tablespoons salt; 2 tablespoons garlic powder; 1 tablespoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 tablespoon dried thyme

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Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 25 min

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 1 hr 5 min

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 25 min

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 1 hr 5 min

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup diced pancetta

1/2 cup small-diced onion

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons butter

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 cups half-and-half or milk

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

1 pound small shell pasta, cooked al dente

4 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

4 ounces grated white Cheddar

4 ounces grated Gruyere

4 ounces grated fontina

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Set a large, wide-mouthed 6-quart pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and pancetta to the pot and cook the pancetta until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onions and garlic to the pan and cook until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the butter and flour to the pot and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the half-and-half to the pot and whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Season with the salt, white pepper and nutmeg and cook for 3 minutes. Add the pasta to the pot and remove from the heat. Add the grated cheeses to the pot and stir to combine well.
Transfer the contents of the pot to a 3-quart baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs with the Essence and sprinkle over the top of the macaroni. Bake uncovered until golden brown and bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes.