Categories: dinner, pasta

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 cup of finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or less if you would like this with less spice)
• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 3 cups coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 ounces Mascarpone or cream cheese
• 3/4 cup panko (Japanese Breadcrumbs)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 pound Penne

Directions

1. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and garlic, stir for 1 minute. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter, allow to melt, and then add the flour and stir for a minute. Gradually whisk in 3 cups of milk; simmer until thick enough to coat a spoon, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in 2 1/4 cups of cheddar and all of the Parmesan cheese and marscapone and season with salt and pepper.

2. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add panko and stir until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in parsley.

3. Preheat oven to 375 F. Lighly butter a 13×9×2 inch glass baking dish or similarly sized gratin dish. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water until very al dente. Drain well. Toss pasta and cheese sauce and season again with salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake until hot and topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

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