"Hug in a Dish"

Erica Hill, the new weekend anchor of the  NBC Today Show recently showed a recipe her family has named, "Hug in a Dish".  I have always been a fan of macaroni and cheese and the dish looked like one I needed to try out in my kitchen.  The recipe makes a 13 x 9 pan so it's enough for a few people.  I tried it out on my family this week and we loved it.  The blend of sharp cheddar and the mild flavor of Gruyere gives it exceptional flavor.  The toasted breadcrumbs on top adds nice crunch and texture.  It's a great dish for the weekend.  If you aren't a huge fan of grating cheese yourself, you can purchase the cheese preshredded or simply cut into small cubes.  Works just as well.  

Ingredients:

1 -2 lbs. fusilli pasta
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 - 2 cups milk at room temperature (2% is best)
10 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese (grated or cut into small cubes)
10 ounces Gruyere cheese, cut into small cubes or grated
3/4 teaspoons paprika
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoons ground pepper
1/2 - 3/4 cups bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 375 and lightly spray 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray.

Cook and drain pasta according to package.
In heavy saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter, constantly stirring.  Once liquefied, it should look creamy.  Don't let it turn brown.  Add flour and blend mixture together, using a large spoon or whisk.
While whisking, slowly add about 1/2 cup of milk to mixture.  Once blended, add about 1/3 of the cheese.  Stir until cheese melts.  Keep stirring so cheese won't burn.  Add spices, then more cheese and milk in batches.

Once cheese mixture is melted and delicious, add cooked pasta to the cheese and mix well.  Pour into the 13 x 9 baking dish, top with bread crumbs and bake until the crumbs are golden and cheese is bubbling...for about 20-30 minutes.