Penne Mac & Cheese

1 box/pound penne rigate
3/4 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 pound Gruyere cheese, shredded
1/2 cup shredded Asiago or Parmesan cheese
3 Tbs unsalted butter
3 Tbs all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Coat a 2-quart broiler-safe oval baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling.

2. Once water boils, add penne. Cook 6 minutes, then drain. In a large bowl, toss together the cheddar, Gruyere and Asiago. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and slightly bubbly. In a thin stream, whisk in milk. Stir in onion powder, salt and cayenne. bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in 2 1/2 cups of the cheese mixture.

4. In pasta pot, stir together the cooked penne and the cheese sauce. Pour half into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with a generouscup of the cheese. Spoon remaining penne into dish and tip with remiaining cheese.

5. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to broil and cook 3 minutes, until top is lightly browned. Cool slightly before serving.

Serving Size: Makes 12 servings

Number of Servings: 12

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user ANNE_SP.