Ingredients
Kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 lb. elbow macaroni
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 cup flour
3 cups milk
1 1/2 lb. (6 cups) grated sharp white cheddar
Freshly ground black pepper and cayenne, to taste
8 oz. (2 cups) grated sharp regular cheddar
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta; cook, stirring, until cooked halfway through, about 3-minutes. Drain pasta and set aside. Heat butter in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour and cook until smooth, about 1 minute. Add milk and cook, whisking, until sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Add white cheddar and stir until melted and smooth; season with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir in pasta and transfer to a 9″ x 13″ baking dish; cover top evenly with regular cheddar and bake until bubbly and top is golden brown, about 35 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
