Mac & Cheese Spaghetti

  • 6
  • 30 mins
  • 30 mins

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups coarse white bread crumbs
  • 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 14- to 16-pkg. dried multigrain, whole wheat, or regular spaghetti
  • 1 10-oz. pkg. frozen peas (2 cups) or 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 tsp. Dijon-style mustard
  • 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded (2 cups)
  • 4 oz. American cheese, shredded (1 cup)
  • Shredded thinly sliced prosciutto or cooked ham (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan combine crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and the 1 tablespoon butter. Bake 5 minutes; remove from oven, stir, set aside.

2. Meanwhile, in Dutch oven cook spaghetti, with 1 tablespoon salt added to water, according to package directions; add peas during last 3 minutes of pasta cooking time. Reserve 2 cups pasta cooking water (*Using Pasta Water, see below) set aside. Drain pasta and peas; keep warm.

3. Return 1 cup reserved pasta water to Dutch oven. Bring to boiling. Add the 2 tablespoons butter and mustard. Add cheeses, a bit at a time, stirring after each addition until melted. Stir in more pasta water if needed. Add spaghetti mixture; toss. Sprinkle servings with crumb mixture and prosciutto. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

*Using Pasta WaterUse pasta cooking water to flavor and thin sauces. To reserve, just before draining pasta, ladle out the amount of pasta water needed into a glass measuring cup or bowl.