Combo Air Fryer Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

For the Pasta

• 6 oz penne pasta
• Water, for cooking

For the Cheese Sauce

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3½ tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups whole milk
• 7 oz aged white cheddar cheese, grated (about 1¾ cups)
• 1 oz Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about ¼ cup)
• ½ tsp coarse salt
• ¼–½ tsp chipotle chili powder
• ⅛ tsp garlic powder

For the Topping

• 1 oz aged white cheddar cheese, grated (about ¼ cup)
• 1 oz Monterey Jack cheese, grated (about ¼ cup)
• ¼ tsp chipotle chili powder

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta
   1. Place the Glasspot on the Multi-Cooker base and set to Pasta mode. Add water and add the penne and cook until the timer starts, timer indicates that the pasta is done cooking. — Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce
   1. Keep the Glasspot on the Multi-Cooker base and switch to a Steam mode setting. Melt the butter, then whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to turn golden. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue stirring frequently until the sauce thickens, about 8–10 minutes. Remove from heat.
   2. Add the cheddar, Monterey Jack, salt, chipotle chili powder, and garlic powder. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth, about 3 minutes.
3. Combine
   1. Add the drained pasta back into the Glasspot with the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated. Sprinkle the topping cheeses and a dusting of chipotle chili powder evenly over the surface.
4. Bake the Topping
   1. Place the Magnifique AirCrisper unit on the Glasspot and set to Bake mode. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling. Keep a close eye on it in the last few minutes — the cheese topping can go from perfectly golden to overdone fast.
5. Rest and Serve
   1. Carefully remove the AirCrisper lid using heat-resistant gloves. Let the mac & cheese rest for 5 minutes before serving — it will set up nicely and be much easier to portion.