A quick sauté renders baby kale leaves perfectly tender, allowing them to almost melt into the buttermilk-enriched béchamel in chef and cookbook author Alexander Smalls' riff on mac and cheese. For a smooth sauce, make sure all of the dairy is at room temperature.
8 ounces uncooked cavatelli pasta or other small shell-shaped pasta
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
5 ounces baby kale (about 5 cups)
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup buttermilk
8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups), divided
2 large eggs, beaten
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