I found a new recipe for Mac and cheese that I am dying to try. It is on the cover of the new Family Circle magazine. It looks yummy!!

1 box (one pound) penne rigate
3/4 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 lb Gruyere cheese, shredded
1/2 cup shredded Asiago or Parmesean cheese
3 TBS unsalted butter
3 TBS all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Heat oven to 350*. Coat a 2-quart broiler safe oval baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of water to boiling.
Once water boils, add penne. Cook 6 minutes and drain. In a large bowl, toss together all three cheeses, set aside.
Meanwhile, melt butter in medium size saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smoth and slightly bubbly. In a thin stream, whisk in milk. Stir in onion powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer three minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in 2 1/2 cups cheese mixture.
In pasta pot, stir together the pasta and cheese sauce. Pour half into prepared dish. Sprinkle with one cup of cheese. Spoon remaining penne into dish and top with remaining cheese.
Bake at 350* for 20 minutes. Increase oven temp to a broil and cook three minutes until top is lightly browned. Cool slightly before serving.

Update: I made this tonight (10/4/09). Although it was really good and everyone liked it. I am not too sure that I would make it again. I followed the recipe exactly. This is not a frugal dish at all. Just the Gruyere cheese cost $8! I guess if you want a fancier mac and cheese than this is worth a try.

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yummmm so much cheese! I definitely want to try this