Hearty and a bit spicy, this dish is a warming treat on a cold winter's evening. It is a favorite at Chat n' Chew, the comfortable downtown Manhattan restaurant where Chef Molina presides over the kitchen.
½ pound butter, plus extra for the baking dish
1¼ pounds elbow macaroni
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1 small (¼ to ⅓ pound) onion, diced small (about ½ cup)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup flour
5 cups (1¼ pounds) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
8 slices American cheese, broken into small pieces
2 cups (½ pound) grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons green Tabasco
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9 by 13 by 4-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and cook the macaroni until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
In a small bowl, combine the cream and milk.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the ½ pound of butter and cook the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the flour, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Add the cream mixture in a steady stream and whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.
Stir in 4 cups of the Cheddar, the American cheese, 1 cup of the grated Parmesan, the Tabasco, and cumin. Stir until all the cheese has melted; the sauce will be very thick and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the pasta. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Cheddar, then the Parmesan, and finally the bread crumbs.
Bake uncovered on the middle shelf for about 20 minutes, until bubbling and brown on top.