Blue Onion Bistro's Macaroni And Blue Cheese With Chives

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 lb uncooked spiral tube-shaped pasta
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 3 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups crumbled blue cheese, divided (maytag or danish)
• salt & freshly ground black pepper or tricolor pepper, to taste
• 1 dash cayenne, to taste (optional)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 degrees f; butter a 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish.
• 2 cook the pasta according to package directions until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally; drain and set aside (about 8 minutes).
• 3 while the pasta is cooking, in a large heavy saucepan over medium low heat, melt the olive oil and butter together; add the flour and, stirring constantly, cook for 1 minute (don't let it brown), then gradually whisk in the milk and cream.
• 4 simmer mixture until it slightly thickens, whisking occasionally, for 3 minutes.
• 5 reduce the temperature to low, then gradually stir in the grated cheddar and 1 cup of the blue cheese and cook, stirring, until the cheese melts.
• 6 season to taste with salt, freshly ground pepper, and cayenne (if using).
• 7 stir in the cooked pasta, making sure it's well-coated with the sauce.
• 8 pour mixture into the buttered baking dish, sprinkle with the reserved 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, and bake at 350 degrees f for 30 minutes.
• 9 sprinkle with the minced chives and serve.
• 10 note: also good with a serving of carmamelized onions and sauteed mushrooms; also, you can use 2% or skim milk instead of whole, but using whole is how they make it at the restaurant.