Best Mac n' Cheese Recipe

I LOVE macaroni and cheese.  I have tried a LOT of it in restaurants and several different recipes.  This is by far the best recipe I have ever found so I thought I would share so everyone can  enjoy it.  This came from Martha Stewart Living Radio Thanksgiving Hotline Recipes 2010 and the author of this recipe is Art Smith. 

Ingredients

1 lb penne or elbow macaroni

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for buttering casserole

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups milk, heated

2 cups (8oz) shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

2 cups (8oz) finely chopped American cheese

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Hot pepper sauce

¼ cup (1oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat.  Add the penne and cook until al dente.  Drain Well.
2. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a deep 4-quart casserole.
3. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour.  Gradually whisk in the milk.  Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1 cup of the American cheese.  Season to taste with salt, pepper, and hot sauce. 
5. Combine the remaining cheddar and American cheeses.  Spread one third of the penne over the bottom of the casserole dish.  Top with half of the shredded cheese and a third of the sauce.  Repeat, using another third of the penne with the remaining cheese and half of the sauce.  Finish with the remaining penne and sauce.  Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
6. Bake until bubbly and golden brown around the edges, about 30 minutes.

ENJOY!!!

~ADJ