Mac And Cheese Bake

Ingredients

• 1 Long Green Pepper
• 1 Tomato
• 1 Clove Garlic
• 6 oz Cavatappi Pasta
• 1/2 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
• 8 oz Heavy Cream + 1/2 tsp Carlic Powder (Replease Cream Sauce Base)
• 2 Tbsp Cream Cheese
• 1/2 Cup White Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 Cup Monterey Jack Cheese
• 1/2 Cup Mexican Cheese Blend

Instructions

1. Prep
   • Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce.
   • Halve green pepper lengthwise; remove stem and seeds. Dice tomato. Peel garlic clove and place in the center of a small piece of foil; drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cinch into a packet.
2. Roast Veggies
   • Place green pepper halves, cut sides down, on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Place garlic foil packet on same sheet.
   • Roast on top rack until green pepper is tender and lightly blistered and garlic is softened, 15-17 minutes.
   • Remove from oven. Once cool enough to handle, transfer everything to a cutting board. Dice green pepper. Mash garlic with a fork.
   • Heat broiler to high or heat oven to 500 degrees.
3. Cook Pasta and Make Toppings
   • Once water is boiling, add cavatappi to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes.
   • Reserve 3/4 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
   • Meanwhile, place 1 TBSP butter in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave until melted, 30 seconds. Stir in panko. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Make Sauce
   • Heat empty pot used for pasta over medium heat. Add cream sauce base and cream cheese; bring to a simmer, whisking, until smooth, 1-2 minutes.
   • Reduce heat to low and whisk in white cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Mexican cheese blend until melted and smooth.
5. Mix Mac and Cheese
   • Stir drained cavatappi, mashed garlic, diced green pepper, and tomato into pot with cheese sauce. If needed, stir in reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until cavatappi is coated in a creamy sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper if necessary.
6. Finish and Serve
   • Transfer mac & cheese to an 8-by-8- inch baking dish. Sprinkle with seasoned panko; broil or bake until panko is browned and crispy, 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
   • Divide between plates or serve directly from baking dish.

Source

Based Loosly on Hello Fresh “Lone Star Green Pepper Mac and Cheese”, but modified to be far less southwest