Flemming's Steakhouse Mac & Cheese (Gluten-free)

On a recent trip to Omaha for a friends wedding, we stopped at a Flemming's Steakhouse for a quick drink in between the ceremony and rehearsal. While there, the fiance ordered up some Mac & Cheese to fend off his hunger for a few more hours until dinner is served. He shared that it is one of the best Mac & Cheese dishes he's had and always orders it when dining there. I was definitely intrigued...I'm pretty much always intrigued whenever anyone says the "best of" of anything.

I thought it would be neat to try to recreate this dish at home, gluten-free, so that I could indulge as well. I had no problem finding the recipe online, and with a few very easy substitutions I was on my way to making gluten-free Flemming's Mac.

Ingredients: (Gluten-free substitutions)
1 lb pasta (Bionaturae)
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup onion, 1/2-inch dice
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (Bob's Red Mill)
2 cups heavy cream
3 cups half-and-half
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon white pepper (ground)
3/4 lb smoked cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 lb cheddar cheese, grated
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon dried chipotle powder (chipotle chili powder)
3/4 cup breadcrumbs (Schar)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large pot, bring 1 gallon of water to boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and pasta and cook for 8 - 9 minutes. 3. Drain pasta and cool under cold running water. Pasta should be slightly firm. Toss drained pasta in oil and reserve.
4. Melt butter in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 4 - 5 minute.
5. Add flour and cook 1 - 2 minute but do not brown. Add cream, half and half, kosher salt and white pepper. Bring pot to a simmer. Cook until sauce is thick, about 5 - 6 minute.
6. Blend cheese into sauce and add cooked pasta.
7. Pour pasta and sauce into a 9 x 12" baking dish. Reserve.
8. In a saute pan over medium-high heat, add oil and chipotle chili powder. Heat for 30 seconds, until pan starts to smoke. Remove from stove and stir in bread crumbs.
9. Sprinkle bread crumbs over the pasta and bake for 15 - 20 minute until golden. Cool slightly before serving.

Although the smokey cheese and chipotle are typically not up my alley, the dish was very rich and delicious. The fiance had at least 2 bowls...so I will consider it a success.