Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Mushrooms

Three nights ago, Hubby whipped up some cheese sauce to pour over leftover home fries and bake them, thus making au gratin potatoes.  They were delicious.  There was, unfortunately luckily, lots of cheese sauce leftover.  So, tonight, he turned it into some very excellent Macaroni and Cheese with Pancetta and Mushrooms.

Here is Hubby's cheese sauce recipe, in his own words:

• 3 tbsp salted butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 pint heavy cream
• Salt
• Fresh Ground Pepper
• Cayenne

1. Melt 3 tbsp butter in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat.
2. Add flour and whisk together to make a roux.
3. Once thickened, add 1 pint cream, whisking constantly.
4. Once roux and cream are well mixed, add cheese, continue whisking.
5. Add seasoning to taste.

Use with: anyfuckingthing. It's that good.

For the macaroni and cheese, sauté chopped pancetta until the fat is rendered.  Add sliced mushrooms to the same pan, and sauté until cooked.  Finally, mix the pancetta and mushrooms into cooked macaroni along with the cheese sauce.

It's wife tested, kitty approved!