Evil Mac And Cheese - cooking recipe
Ingredients
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1 lb shell pasta
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups gruyere cheese (grated)
2 cups asiago 3-cheese blend (grated)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
2 tablespoons hot smoked paprika
1 teaspoon fresh nutmeg
4 cups cream
1/4 lb pancetta
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
Preparation
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Butter an 9 x 11 casserole dish.
Dice pancetta and saute in olive oil , cook until crispy.
Place cooked pancetta on paper towel to drain excess fat.
Bring to boil water for pasta.
Liberally salt pasta water once it comes to a rapid boil.
Cook pasta 8 minutes stirring periodically
Drain Pasta.
While pasta is cooking prepare cheese sauce.
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
In a large sauce pan over medium heat melt 1 stick of unsalted butter.
Once melted add 3 tablespoons of flour combine flour/butter mixture.
Add half of the salt and pepper (reserve the remainder until after cheeses are added to avoid over seasoning).
Cook for 2-3 minutes stirring continuously as to not burn
Pour cream into roux.
Stir until smooth.
Reduce heat to low and allow sauce to simmer and thicken for 5 minutes.
Grate in fresh nutmeg.
Add hot sauce & smoked hot paprika.
Continue to stir every minute or so.
Once mixture is coats back of a spoon begin to whisk in cheeses.
Once all of cheeses are incorporated and sauce is smooth remove from heat and stir in pancetta.
Taste and adjust salt & pepper seasoning, also add more hot sauce if you desire.
Combine pasta and cheese sauce, then add to buttered casserole dish.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for remaining 5 minutes.
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