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

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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

Ultra Creamy Macaroni and Cheese - Modified Kraft

I love Kraft's Macaroni and Cheese much more than any of the other box brands I have ever tried. But my one complaint about it is that it gets really runny when you follow the directions perfectly. You have probably noticed this yourself; it seems as though the noodles are swimming amongst a sea of fake cheese liquid when you serve it on the plate.

Ultra Creamy Macaroni and Cheese - Modified Kraft

Ultra Creamy Macaroni and Cheese - Modified Kraft

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Ultra Creamy Macaroni and Cheese - Modified Kraft

Ultra Creamy Macaroni and Cheese - Modified Kraft

I love the Food, but have always hated that part of it. So, by my ever-experiMental nature, I tried a few little tweaks of the package directions until I came up with a result I like. If you are like me and like your Macaroni and Cheese ultra creamy, and have been frustrated by the results you get by following the instructions, try these two little tweaks.

1. Only use 3/4 the amount of butter recomMended. Too much butter gives the Food that slick, cheap texture.
2. Only use a splash of milk. The milk is what waters down the Macaroni and Cheese, so cut way back on it. I start with a quick splash and then stir. If it needs a little more, I will add a tiny bit at a time.

Since I "developed" this make-shift recipe, several people have given me compliMents. It is so different that they think I made it myself from scratch (of course some times I cheat and say I did).

And one last piece of advice, which is optional: After you have made your Macaroni and Cheese, put it under the broiler eleMent in the oven for 30 to 60 seconds. Doing so will brown the top and give it that extra home made look and taste.

Ultra Creamy Macaroni and Cheese - Modified Kraft

Savour the World's Best Comfort Food - Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese - Italian Style

Savour the World's Best Comfort Food - Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese - Italian Style

Macaroni & Cheese is the Ultimate comfort Food, perfect for every occasion, but this version is richer and creamier and more Italian in style. Once you have eaten this Macaroni & Cheese Recipe you will never go back to your favourite macaroni & cheese again; in 1937, Kraft macaroni & cheese was born and it was to be a big hit. However it was during the Second World war that it became really popular, woMen went out to work and meat was rationed, it became known as the easy nutritious dinner.

Savour the World's Best Comfort Food - Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese - Italian Style

Savour the World's Best Comfort Food - Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese - Italian Style

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Savour the World's Best Comfort Food - Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese - Italian Style

Savour the World's Best Comfort Food - Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese - Italian Style

Baked Pasta "Bianca" with Cream and Five Cheeses

Macaroni Cheese is the World's greatest comfort Food Here is the world's best Italian style Mac and cheese.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 to 1 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup finely crumbled Gorgonzola
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
2 Tablespoons mascarpone
1/2 cup chopped or buffallo shredded mozzarella
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 lb dried Pasta

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Bring a large bowl of water to a boil.

Method

Combine the cream, 1/2 cup chicken stock, all the cheeses, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Set aside.

Generously salt boiling water and add Pasta. Cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes. The Pasta should be parboiled and too hard to eat because the Cooking process continues in the oven. Drain the Pasta and add to the mixing bowl, combining thoroughly with the cheese mixture. If it seems too thick, add more chicken stock until the pasta moves freely and is surrounded by liquid.

Transfer to individual shallow baking dishes or 1 large shallow baking dish. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is bubbly hot. Serve right away.

Savour the World's Best Comfort Food - Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese - Italian Style