Gourmet Mac and Cheese
By Chef Tony Tipping
This recipe is an easy and delicious grown-up version of a childhood favourite.
5 min prep time
45 min cook time
Serves 4
Why we like it
Is Mac and Cheese one of the ultimate comfort foods?
So many of us have grown up thinking the only road to mac and cheese comes from a box, but that’s not the case…
By using a couple of easy techniques, even the most novice of home chefs can create a bowl of ooey, gooey mac and cheese with real ingredients that you might already have in your pantry and refrigerator.
Ingredients
Preparation Notes
For this version of mac and cheese, we stray away from the cardboard box by starting with a simple roux.
Don’t be intimidated! It’s just a fancy term for a mixture of flour and fat, in this case butter, to thicken up our sauce.
You might have already made a roux before and not even known it.
And contrary to this recipe’s name, you don’t have to use macaroni.
Feel free to use almost any short, hallow and tubular shaped noodle.
Making the recipe
Step 1
Do the 'nduja
- By hand or with a stand mixer, whip the ‘nduja paste and the butter until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Make sure to scrap down the sides if necessary.
Step 2
Do the roux
- In large pan, add the whipped ‘nduja butter and the flour over a medium heat, constantly stirring until a wet sandy texture is achieved, about 5 minutes.
- Slowly add the cream about ½ cup at a time, continuously whisking to form a paste.
- Blend in the grated cheese, and the remaining cream. Stir until a smooth, lump-free, gravy-like sauce is achieved.
- Set aside, but stir occasionally to avoid a skin from forming.
Step 3
Do the macaroni
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta, according to the package’s instructions, until al dente.
- When the pasta is tender, drain into a colander.
Step 4
Do the veg-e-tables
- While the macaroni is cooking, dice the tomatoes into large chunks and thinly slice the green onions.
Step 5
Do the combine dance
- Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the grated cheese, and stir to melt.
- Pour into an oven safe dish, then top with chopped tomatoes, green onions, breadcrumbs or panko, and more chunks of mozzarella cheese.
- Broil on until the breadcrumbs or panko are golden brown.
- Allow to cool, then serve, and enjoy!
