Taking my mac to the next level with roasted garlic and whiskey!

Recipe

• 1 head of garlic
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• kosher salt
• 10 oz cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
• 8 oz fontina cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup whiskey
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb small pasta, such as elbows, rotini, or farfalle, cooked per packaging instructions
• 4 Tbsp dried breadcrumbs

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1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Butter a 9×9 inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Cut the top 1/4 off of the head of garlic and discard. Drizzle the remaining 3/4 of the garlic head with olive oil, and wrap in foil. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly, then squeeze the garlic out of its shells. Mash the garlic into a paste using the side of a chef’s knife. Season with salt and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, reserve 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar and set aside. Combine the remaining cheddar, fontina, flour, paprika, and mustard powder in a large bowl. Toss to coat the cheese in the flour and spices, and set aside.
4. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the shallots until softened and translucent, 5-7 minutes.
5. Add whiskey to the saucepan and cook until almost completely evaporated, 1-2 minutes.
6. Add the roasted garlic paste and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.
7. Add the milk, cream, and cream cheese, and bring to a simmer, stirring to allow the cream cheese to melt.
8. Add the cheese mixture and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and thick. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Stir in the cooked pasta to evenly coat in the cheese sauce. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and smooth out the top.
10. Melt 3 Tbsp butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Add breadcrumbs to the melted butter and stir until breadcrumbs are fully saturated.
11. Sprinkle half of the breadcrumbs over the mac & cheese, then half of the reserved shredded cheddar. Repeat with remaining breadcrumbs and shredded cheddar.
12. Bake mac & cheese in the oven at 400 F for 20-25 minutes, until breadcrumbs are golden brown and cheddar is melted.

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