New Orleans Spaghetti Mac & Cheese (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 lb. spaghetti
02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 4 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
04 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
05 - 2 teaspoons black pepper
06 - ½ teaspoon cayenne
07 - 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
08 - 1 quart half and half
09 - ½ cup heavy cream
10 - 4 cups sharp cheddar
11 - 4 cups mozzarella

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F/206°C. Cook spaghetti in boiling water for 6 minutes. It should be slightly underdone as it will continue cooking in the oven.
02 - Melt butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add flour and whisk together for 30 seconds to create a roux. Add kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, and granulated garlic and mix well.
03 - Gradually whisk in the half and half in thirds to prevent lumps, then add the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add 2 cups of sharp cheddar and 1 cup of mozzarella. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
04 - Add the cooked spaghetti to a 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella and 1 cup of cheddar over the pasta. Pour the cheese sauce over everything and stir to combine. Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of cheddar and 2 cups of mozzarella over the top.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese on top has melted and browned evenly. For even browning, rotate the pan halfway through baking.
06 - Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Cut into squares and serve immediately while hot and bubbly.

# Notes:

01 - In New Orleans, mac and cheese is traditionally made with spaghetti instead of elbow macaroni. It's sometimes called baked spaghetti.
02 - Feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties. This recipe works well with up to five different types of cheese.
03 - For spice lovers, double the cayenne pepper or add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
04 - Adding a fresh sprig of rosemary or thyme to the sauce while cooking can impart extra flavor. Just remember to remove it before assembling the dish.

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