Charleston Bound!! ... and Four Cheese Macaroni & Cheese

After months of contemplating which graduate school to attend, I finally made my decision.  I will be headed to the College of Charleston in South Carolina!  I decided to celebrate by making the most incredible Macaroni & Cheese ever from my favorite restaurant in Charleston -- Cru Cafe.  This is not your standard boxed Mac & Cheese; it is so creamy and rich that you will never want to go back to the box after tasting this.

I also found this recipe particularly fitting for today since it is "Fat Tuesday."  This is the perfect indulgence before the start of any fast!

Four Cheese Macaroni & Cheese
Source: Cru Catering

Preparation - 20 min / Cooking - 45 min

Yields - approximately 8 servings

Ingredients
2 quarts heavy cream (reduced in half)
1 pound pasta (I used Conchiglie)
***All cheese must be hand grated
1 cup pepper jack cheese
1 cup aged cheddar cheese
1 cup fontina cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
For final cooking:
1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup aged cheddar cheese
1/2 cup fontina cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper

Directions
Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.  Reduce cream in half in a medium size sauce pan.  Cook the pasta in salted water el dente.  Cool down rapidly in cold water then drain all excess water.  Coat the pasta lightly in olive oil to prevent sticking.  Set aside.  Grate all the cheeses by hand keeping them separate.  (***It is important to grate all the cheese by hand.  Pre bought grated cheese tends to have cornstarch added to the cheese.  This will change the texture of your final product).  When the cream is reduced whisk in the cheeses, (all 1-cup cheeses), under a low heat until fully melted.  Set aside off the heat.  Add together in a big mixing bowl the rest of the grated cheese, pasta and cheese sauce.  Add salt and pepper to taste and mix very well without breaking up the pasta.  Add final ingredients to a casserole pan and bake at 375 degrees until lightly brown on top; approximately 45 minutes.