Roasted Garlic and Mushroom Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 2: Cut 1/4 inch off top of garlic and then place the garlic on piece of aluminum foil, cut side up and then drizzle it with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Wrap tightly in the foil and place on baking sheet and bake for 1 hour or until tender; let cool completely. In a bowl squeeze garlic to release the roasted clove and mash them with a fork to form a paste; set aside.

Step 3: In a skillet over medium high heat heat 2 tablespoons oil and then add the mushroom and cook, stirring frequently for 5-10 minutes; stir in sherry and cook until liquid is mostly absorbed and then place mushrooms in a bowl and set aside.

Step 4: Using the same skillet over medium heat melt the butter and then add the flour and cook whisking constantly for a minute. Whisk in the milk and cook whisking constantly for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens. Stir in the next 5 ingredients (thyme - pepper). Remove from heat.

Step 5: Stir in the cheese until it melts and then stir in the cooked pasta, garlic paste and mushrooms. Top with the bread crumbs.

Step 6: To make the bead crumbs: in a skillet over medium heat melt the butter and then add the bread crumbs, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes or until toasted and then stir in the thyme.