For the topping;
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2 tbsp Land O Lakes ® Butter
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1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
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2 tbsp finely chopped green onions
For the mac and cheese;
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1/2 cup Land O Lakes ® Butter
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1/4 cup all-purpose flour
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1 quart Land O Lakes Half & Half
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2 bay leaves
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2 cloves garlic, smashed
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4 sprigs fresh thyme
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2 tsp kosher salt
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1/4 tsp smoked paprika
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1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni
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2 (8 oz) bags Land O Lakes ® Gouda & Havarti Cheese Cubes
Steps
1
Position oven rack in lower third of oven; heat broiler.
2
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in small microwave-safe bowl. Add panko and green onions; stir to combine. Set aside.
3
Melt 1/2 cup butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; stir well. Cook 2 minutes or until mixture is light golden brown. Gradually whisk in half & half to prevent lumps. Add bay leaves, garlic and thyme. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and just begins to bubble around edge. Remove from heat; remove and discard bay leaves, garlic cloves and thyme. Season with salt and smoked paprika.
4
Meanwhile, cook macaroni to al dente in salted water according to package directions; drain. Return to pot. Pour sauce over cooked noodles; stir to combine. Add cheese cubes; stir to distribute cheese. (It’s okay if cheese doesn’t melt yet; the cubes will create big gooey pockets of cheese later on.) Transfer to 13x9-inch baking dish. Top evenly with panko mixture. Broil 5 minutes or until panko is golden brown.
Comments
Recipe provided by Land O Lakes®