Baked Penne with Farmhouse Cheddar and Leeks

Summary

Yield
Prep Time45 minutes

Description

Great comfort food

Ingredients

  • 1⁄4 c (1/2 stick) butter
  • 5 c chopped leeks
  • 1⁄4 c all-purpose flour
  • 3 1⁄2 c whole milk
  • 1 lb extra sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (approx. 4 cupss)
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1 t hot pepper sauce
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 lb penne pasta

Instructions

v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} b\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} 285 7772400 10058400 259 261 257 280 262 283 1 0@[8D3,4+AT2I/J<.(_V+E` 5 1 0 286 False 0 0 -1 304800 243 True 128 77 255 3175 3175 70 True True True True True 282 134217728 1 20 -9999996.000000 -9999996.000000 8 Empty 16711680 52479 26367 13421772 16737792 13382502 16777215 Bluebird -87325200 -87325200 (`@````````` 267 263 5 Lightly butter 15x10x2-inch baking dish. Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks; stir to coat. Cover saucepan and cook until leeks are tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes (do not brown). Uncover saucepan; add flour. Stir 2 minutes. Add milk; bring to simmer, stirring often. Add cheese, mustard, and pepper sauce. Stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat. Season cheese sauce to taste with salt. Whisk eggs in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 1 cup cheese sauce. Stir egg mixture into cheese sauce in saucepan. Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Return to pot. Stir cheese sauce into pasta in pot. Transfer to prepared baking dish. do ahead Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake pasta until cheese sauce is bubbling around edges and some ends of pasta are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes. Serve hot.  
-