Crunchy Macaroni and Cheese

What is it about macaroni and cheese that makes heads turn and eyes light up? If I have anything on my plate that remotely resembles this dish my co-workers ask "Is that macaroni and cheese?" Sadly, I reply that it is not and then I start craving this tasty cheese dish.

I did not grow up having this delectable comfort food. I fell in love with it later in life. I have to confess that I absolutely LOVE macaroni and cheese and I pour over the index of any cookbook in bookstores or in the library to see if this classic is included. One day I will count the number of macaroni and cheese recipes that I have collected.

I recently found a recipe for macaroni and cheese that uses cavatappi pasta and is topped with potato chips and bacon. The  cavatappi pasta really grabs the sauce so every bite is generously coated with cheese and mixture of potato chips and bacon gives this dish an extra special crunch.

CRUNCHY MACARONI AND CHEESE

 
Ingredients for Mac and Cheese

6 Tbsp. butter
1 pound cavatappi pasta
6 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup all purpose flour
4 cups milk, warmed
1 tsp. dry mustard powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Pinch of nutmeg (freshly grated, if possible)
Dash of hot sauce
Dash Worcestershire sauce
4 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese
1 1/4 cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Ingredients for Potato Chip and Bacon Topping 

1 1/2 cups crushed potato chips
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
5 slices bacon, crumbled
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Directions 

Heat oven to 375 degrees.   Spray a 3 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.  

Cook pasta according to directions. Remove from heat when it is firm but not soft.   Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir for about one minute. Whisk in warmed milk and bring to a simmer. Continue to whisk while the mixture thickens.Stir dry mustard, salt, black pepper, cayenne, nutmeg, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into the thickened milk. Stir in 3 cups of the cheddar cheese and ¾ cup of the Pecorino Romano cheese until the cheeses melt.Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and toss to combine.   Pour the cheese mixture into the casserole dish.

For topping: In a medium bowl combine potato chips, crumbled bacon, parsley, and the remaining cheddar cheese and Pecorino Romano cheese. Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake for 35 minutes. For a crunchier topping finish under the broiler for about 3 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cook for 5 minutes before serving.

This recipe will serve 6 to 8 hungry diners.

Although this recipe is a little more time consuming to prepare than more traditional macaroni and cheese dishes, it has a more grown up feeling and it will surely become a family favorite. This dish is also perfect for potluck or covered dish luncheons or dinners. 

Crunchy Macaroni and Cheese

Big Wave Surfing Nazare Portugal 28.01.2013 - Trailer

Video Clips. Duration : 0.83 Mins.

Big Wave Surfing Nazare Portugal 28.01.2013 - Trailer

***Please visit my facebook page: Tobias Ilsanker Photography*** ***Have a look and watch my movies in vimeo = Tobias Ilsanker*** Nazare (Praia do Norte) was hit today by a massiv nord-west swell with a breeze of south-east wind! perfect conditions! McNamara was charging! Hundreds of photographers and audiences have probably seen their biggest swell... Music: Audiomachine - Akkadian Empire

Big Wave Surfing Nazare Portugal 28.01.2013 - Trailer

Big Wave Surfing Nazare Portugal 28.01.2013 - Trailer

Big Wave Surfing Nazare Portugal 28.01.2013 - Trailer

Big Wave Surfing Nazare Portugal 28.01.2013 - Trailer

No URL Big Wave Surfing Nazare Portugal 28.01.2013 - Trailer




***Please visit my facebook page: Tobias Ilsanker Photography*** ***Have a look and watch my movies in vimeo = Tobias Ilsanker*** Nazare (Praia do Norte) was hit today by a massiv nord-west swell with a breeze of south-east wind! perfect conditions! McNamara was charging! Hundreds of photographers and audiences have probably seen their biggest swell... Music: Audiomachine - Akkadian Empire

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Kraft Macaroni Cheese

Crunchy Macaroni and Cheese

Crunchy Macaroni and Cheese
Crunchy Macaroni and Cheese

Kraft Macaroni Cheese