Grown Up Mac and Cheese {Mac and Cheese Quest}
So the quest continues. Not to say that the Gouda Mac and Cheese was a bust, far from it. But since it is a quest, I must keep going!
I was going to go all classic on you guys for the next one, you know…family friendly, nothing but a cheddar cheese sauce and some noodles. Give simple a chance. But, I came across this recipe from Ina Garten and I had to make it. Simply because I actually had blue cheese, gruyere and bacon in the house at the same time. Didn’t know when that would happen again, so I went for it.
Look at that. Yes, looks similar to the last one, but a taste that is oh so different. This definitely boasted a milder flavor, yet distinct at the same time.
This was fairly easy to make. While I prepped the bacon and pasta, I threw the cheeses and spices in a bowl while I waited. Made the roux, threw it all together and done! put on the topping and you’ve got a great mac and cheese.
I’ve got to say, that I do like the gouda mac better, but this version still gets high ratings. This would not be my “go to” dish, but I wouldn’t mind making it again.
Don’t forget to link up below with your favorite Mac and Cheese recipes!
Here is what is on “The Quest” so far: Mac and Cheese Quest Archives
Grown up Mac and Cheese
4 ounces thick-sliced bacon
vegetable oil
kosher salt
2 cups elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 1/2 cups milk
2 T unsalted butter
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
3 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
2 ounces blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
pinch nutmeg
2 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed (I just used Panko breadcrumbs)
2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and arrange the bacon in 1 layer on the baking rack. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bacon is crisp. Remove the pan carefully from the oven – there will be hot grease in the pan! Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble when it is cool enough to handle.
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don’t boil it. Melt the butter in a medium pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, blue cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon and stir well. Pour into 2 individual size gratin dishes.
Place the bread slices in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until you have coarse crumbs. Add the basil and pulse to combine. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and arrange the bacon in 1 layer on the baking rack. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bacon is crisp. Remove the pan carefully from the oven – there will be hot grease in the pan! Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble when it is cool enough to handle.
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don’t boil it. Melt the butter in a medium pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, blue cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon and stir well. Pour into 2 individual size gratin dishes.
Place the bread slices in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until you have coarse crumbs. Add the basil and pulse to combine. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
Check out the contenders in the quest so far: Mac and Cheese Quest
