Truffle Mac & Cheese

Truffle Mac &Amp; Cheese Ingredients

500 g macaroni or other tubed pasta of choice (cooked in salted water till al dente, drained & 1 cup pasta water reserved)3 tbsp butter2 bay leaves1 tbsp dried thyme (double amount if using fresh)3 tbsp AP flour1 lt milk2 tbsp mustard1/2 tsp salt (to taste)1/4 tsp ground black pepper (to taste)1 tbsp truffle sauce or porcini powder4 cups freshly grated cheese mix of choice (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, gruyere, havarti, etc)1 tbsp truffle oil

Topping

1 cup breadcrumbs2 tbsp parmesan cheese (freshly grated)1/2 tsp dried herb of choice1/4 tsp salt1/4 tsp ground black pepper2 tbsp olive oil

Steps

Melt butter in a large pot, add flour, bay leaves & thyme, stir for 5 mins.Gently add the milk (stirring continuously), add mustard, salt & pepper, cook until sauce has thicken slightly (abt 2-3 mins)Whisk in cheese mix, once fully melted, remove from heat.Add pasta, truffle sauce & oil, stir well to coat.Taste to adjust seasoning, add some or all of the reserved pasta water (if sauce is too thick), stir & transfer to a heatproof baking tray that’s large enough.Combine ingredients for topping in a bowl, mix well then sprinkle on top of pasta.Bake in a preheated 200 deg C oven for 15-20 mins or till pasta is bubbly & topping has turned golden brown.