Recipe excerpt from:
Melissa’s World Variety Produce
by Chef Tom Fraker
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounces) box Cavatappi or Macaroni pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ cup)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup crema or Crème Fraîche
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 cups pre-shredded Cheddar-Jack Cheese (about 8 ounces)
- 2 cups pre-shredded gouda cheese (about 8 ounces)
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika, divided
- Salt
- Freshly ground white pepper
- 4 fresh Hatch Peppers, charred, peeled, stems and seeds removed, finely diced
- ¾ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
Directions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon oil to keep pasta from sticking.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Coat insides of 6 (6×2-inch) foil loaf pans with cooking spray.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour until a smooth paste is formed, about 3 minutes. Whisk in milk, crema, and nutmeg until smooth; whisk in cheeses until completely melted. Whisk in 1 teaspoon paprika; whisk in salt and white pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
- Add pasta and Hatch Pepper to cheese mixture; toss together. Pour evenly into prepared pans.
- In a bowl, combine remaining 2 tablespoons oil, remaining ½ teaspoon paprika, and breadcrumbs; stir in salt to taste.
- Sprinkle evenly over pasta mixture.
- Bake at 350°F until bubbly and lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes. Serve.