Step 1
Grate the cheddar cheese and set aside until it warms to room temperature
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Step 2
Preheat oven to 325 F

Step 3
Boil water in a large pot and cook pasta until 1 minute before it reaches al dente

Step 4
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce

Step 5
Heat a pot over medium heat, then add and melt butter

Step 6
Next add the flour and whisk for 1 minute

Step 7
Add the milk and heavy cream and whisk for about 3 minutes

Step 8
Add salt, pepper, Dijon mustard and hot sauce, then whisk well

Step 9
Reduce heat to low, add cheddar cheese and whisk until smooth and thickened, then remove from heat and cover while you prepare the topping

Step 10
In a small bowl, add all topping ingredients and stir to combine

Step 11
Lightly coat a 9 x 13 casserole dish with baking spray

Step 12
Pour the pasta and cheese mixture into the casserole dish and spread evenly

Step 13
Sprinkle the topping over the pasta and cheese mixture

Step 14
Bake for 15 minutes at 325 F

Note: The original recipe for the filling is here.