Roasted Garlic White Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 6 tos 8 ounces garlic bulbs
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 6 tablespoons butter , divided
• 1 large sweet onion
• 1 package shell pasta , 16-ounce
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.13 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 cups shredded mild or medium white Cheddar cheese
• 2 cups Manchego cheese
• 1.5 cups brioche bread crumbs
• 0.5 cups sour cream
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 0.25 cups crispy fried onions

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). ​​Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. 2

   Cut off and discard top 1/2 inch of each garlic bulb to expose ends of individual cloves. Leaving bulb whole, remove any loose, papery outer layers. Place bulbs, cut side up, in custard cups or on a double thickness of foil. Drizzle bulbs with oil. Cover cups with foil or bring foil up around bulbs to enclose.

3. 3

   Roast in the preheated oven until garlic feels soft when squeezed, 35 to 40 minutes; cool. Squeeze garlic from cloves into a small bowl; mash. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

4. 4

   Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large deep skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add sweet onion and reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 13 to 15 minutes. Uncover; cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes more. Transfer to a small bowl.

5. 5

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes; drain.

6. 6

   Melt 3 tablespoons butter in pot over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, until golden, about 1 minute. Gradually add milk, salt, and cayenne, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in Cheddar cheese and 1 3/4 cups Manchego cheese, 1 cup at a time, until melted and sauce is smooth. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring frequently, until sauce is thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in roasted garlic. Add pasta and caramelized onions to sauce; stir to coat. Transfer to prepared dish.

7. 7

   Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl in microwave. Toss with bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup Manchego; sprinkle over macaroni mixture.

8. 8

   Bake in the preheated oven until crumbs are golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

9. 9

   Meanwhile, whisk together sour cream and horseradish in a small bowl. Top servings with sour cream mixture and fried onions.