Rachael Ray: Rachael's Daytime Talkshow

Pimiento Mac 'n' Cheese

Aired on: December 17, 2008, September 30, 2008

Rach turns a Southern snack into a hearty supper.

Ingredients

1 pound cavatappi pasta, hollow, fat corkscrew shaped pasta or pasta elbow pasta
Salt
1 tablespoon EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sweet paprika, plus additional for garnish
Salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons hot sauce
3 cups sharp yellow cheddar, grated
2 4-ounce jars of pimientos, drained
1/4 cup flat or curly parsley, finely chopped

Yields: 4 to 6 servings

Preparation

Preheat broiler to high or oven to 400°F.

Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring it up to a boil to cook the pasta. Once at a boil, add pasta and salt the water, cook to just shy of al dente.

Heat a large pot over medium heat with EVOO and butter. When butter melts, add the onions, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stir in paprika. Add the flour and cook a minute more. Whisk in milk and hot sauce, and bring up to a bubble, thicken a minute or 2. Turn off the heat, and stir in half of the cheese in a figure-eight motion until melted.

When the pasta is done, drain it well and add it to the pot with the cheese sauce. Toss to combine. Fold in the drained pimentos, pour into into baking dish and top with the remaining cheese, brown under the broiler.