Categories: Pasta

Ingredients

• Kosher salt
• 1 lb. medium shell pasta
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated Colby jack cheese
• 1 heaping tsp Dijon
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• Dash of hot sauce
• 4 oz. cream cheese, cut into cubes
• Black pepper

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. When it begins to foam, sprinkle in the flour and stir until it becomes pasty, about 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and half-and-half and bring to a low simmer. Cook, stirring, until the mixture looks thick, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the cheddar and Colby jack cheeses by the handful to the milk mixture, stirring well after each addition until melted. Mix in the Dijon, paprika and hot sauce. Fold in the cream cheese and stir well until melted; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cooked pasta. Serve the mac and cheese immediately while still warm and at its creamiest.

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