Truffle Mac & 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 butter
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp dried thyme (double amount if using fresh)
• 3 tbsp AP flour
• 1 lt milk
• 2 tbsp mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 tbsp truffle sauce or porcini powder
• 4 cups freshly grated cheese mix of choice (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, gruyere, havarti, etc)
• 1 tbsp truffle oil
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 1/2 tsp dried herb of choice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Steps ---

2. 2

   Melt butter in a large pot, add flour, bay leaves & thyme, stir for 5 mins.

3. 3

   Gently add the milk (stirring continuously), add mustard, salt & pepper, cook until sauce has thicken slightly (abt 2-3 mins)

4. 4

   Whisk in cheese mix, once fully melted, remove from heat.

5. 5

   Add pasta, truffle sauce & oil, stir well to coat.

6. 6

   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.

7. 7

   Combine ingredients for topping in a bowl, mix well then sprinkle on top of pasta.

8. 8

   Bake in a preheated 200 deg C oven for 15-20 mins or till pasta is bubbly & topping has turned golden brown.