Prairie Pasta Recipe
Classic mac & cheese made with penne noodles and a side of fries
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Fries
Method
Pasta
- 1
Cook the Penne Pasta
In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. Once the water is boiling, add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 10-12 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
- 2
Make the Cheese Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Gradually pour in 2 cups of milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon of mustard powder, and black pepper to taste. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combine and Serve
- 3
Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce
Add the drained penne pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir well until all the pasta is evenly coated with the cheese sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.
Fries
- 4
Cook the French Fries
Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the frozen French fries package. Spread the fries on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake according to package instructions, usually around 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Season with salt to taste after removing from the oven.
Serve
- 5
Plate the Dish
Serve the cheese-coated penne pasta on a plate alongside a portion of crispy French fries. Enjoy your Prairie Pasta!