2 tablespoons butter
16 ozs ricotta (not lowfat) or cream cheese
2 cups half & half
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. sharp or extra-sharp white cheddar cheese grated
½ lb. elbow pasta uncooked.
Thanksgiving Weekend - 2017
Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to butter a 9-inch square baking pan.
In a blender, purée ricotta, half & half, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper together. Reserve ¼ cup grated cheese for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated cheese, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.
Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.