Ziti With Sharp Cheddar and Mushrooms

• butter3 tablespoons

  (or olive oil or a mix of both)

• celery rib↗1

  finely chopped

• mixed mushrooms↗8 ounces

  (white, baby bella, shitake or other)

• leeks↗2

  quartered lengthwise, sliced

• dried marjoram1 teaspoon
• flour↗1⁄4 cup
• milk↗3 cups

  warmed (I use rice milk)

• salt↗
• fresh ground black pepper↗
• grated nutmeg↗1⁄8 teaspoon
• mustard↗1 tablespoon
• ziti pasta↗1 lb
• grated sharp cheddar cheese1 1⁄2 cups
• fresh breadcrumb↗1 cup
• fresh parsley↗2 tablespoons

  chopped

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Warm the butter in a saucepan. Add celery, mushrooms, leeks, and marjoram and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Stir in flour and cook 1 more minute, then quickly whisk in the milk.

3. 3

   Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season the sauce with 1 teaspoons salt, pepper(to taste) and nutmeg and mustard.

4. 4

   Preheat the oven to 350*F.

5. 5

   Lightly butter or oil a 3 quart baking dish. Cook the ziti in plenty of boiling water until barely done(usually 2 minutes less than called for on package). Drain in a colander, then rinse under cold water.

6. 6

   Combine the pasta with the sauce and cheese, then pour it into the baking dish and cover with the bread crumbs.

7. 7

   Bake until bubbling and browned on top, about 25-30 minutes.

8. 8

   Enjoy!