Macaroni And Asiago

[Mama Mangia]

MACARONI AND ASIAGO

1 pound cavatelli (small shell pasta)
7 tablespoons butter, plus extra for gratin dishes (divided)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 quart whole milk
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dash of hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 cups (1/2 pound) grated aged Asiago cheese
1 cup (1/4 pound) grated sharp white cheddar cheese
1 1/3 cups (about 5 1/2 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (divided)
3/4 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/3 cup minced fresh chives
1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)

Preheat oven to 350. Butter six individual gratin dishes. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and cool.

In medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 6 tablespoons butter. Add flour and cook, stirring, three minutes. Whisk in milk. Increase heat to high. When milk begins to boil, reduce heat to medium. Cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened. Add mustard, cayenne pepper, hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

In large bowl, toss together pasta, sauce, Asiago, cheddar, 1 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley and chives. Spoon mixture into buttered gratin dishes. Mix together bread crumbs and remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano and sprinkle over pasta. Dot lightly with remaining butter and bake on middle shelf in preheated oven until crumbs are lightly browned and sauce is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Makes six servings.