Home Made Bow Tie Mac & Cheese

Being Italian, I feel like I have a duty to at least try and make pasta from scratch. However, I wanted to make some homemade mac and cheese instead of the classic red sauce! Let's see how it turns out!

Pasta:
To start add your salt and semolina flour into the mixer with the dough hook. Then add in the eggs and mix until the dough forms into a ball. You don't want the dough to be sticky to the touch so if it is add some more flour in. When the dough is the right texture you want to kneed it for a few minutes so it gains elasisity.

Now you can put it through the pasta machine. The first time out you might want to add in a little more flour and roll it out again.

Once you have a long strip you can cut off the edges and cut out smaller pieces to form into your bow ties.

Pinch in the middle and I used a fork to make indents on the edges of each bow tie. After you are done cutting and forming all your pasta, I let them sit on the board to dry a little before cooking in the boiling water.

Now you can start on the cheese sauce for your mac and cheese!! First thing you need to shred your cheddar cheese. I chose this awesome white cheddar from Ireland but you can use any kind of cheddar you like!

Preheat your pan on the stove on medium heat and then add in your butter. Once completely melted, remove from heat and quickly whisk in your flour. Add in milk and put back on heat. Now add in your cheese a little at a time, giving it time to melt. Once all the cheese is in, add pepper to taste.

Boil your water and add in your pasta. Cook until soft and drain. Put in a baking dish. Add cheese sauce on top until well coated.

I always love to add croutons on top before throwing in the oven to crisp up. Take out of the oven and enjoy!!!