Blue Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

(pre-bake)

I’m not a fan of blue cheese.  Let’s just start right there.  It’s smelly and doesn’t look very appealing either.  But I love macaroni and cheese!

When my co-worker (read = boss) took a few of us out for lunch a few weeks ago she let me try her blue cheese macaroni and cheese dish at Tyler’s Restaurant and Taproom.  It had me so enthralled that I thought about how to make it the rest of the week and tried my hand at it as soon as the weekend arrived.  I even made it again two nights ago.  It’s just that good!

Blue Cheese Macaroni & Cheese
Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time:  45 – 60  minutes in preheated oven

Ingredients
4-5 strips Bacon, cooked, chopped
3 cups Rotini Pasta
2 1/2 cups Milk
4 tbs Butter, unsalted
4 tbs Flour
11 oz. Cheddar Cheese
4 oz. Blue Cheese
1 slice Bread, crumbled
1/4 tsp dried Basil
1/2 tbs Olive Oil, to grease pan
Salt/Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Cook bacon in the oven on top of a cooling rack inside of a pan (see below) for ~18 minutes (timing depends on type of bacon and oven).
  • While the bacon is cooking cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Set aside to drain upon completion.
  • Add milk to a pan and allow to heat gently, careful not to scorch.
  • In a separate pan add the butter until melting on low/medium heat.
  • Add the flour to the butter, stirring to combine.
  • As the mixture begins to thicken add the milk while stirring.
  • Turn off heat after the mixture has thickened, add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the cheeses to the mixture, stir until combined.
  • Upon removing the bacon from the oven reduce the temperature to 350 degrees.

 Be sure to talk to your child(ren) about the stove/oven, hot surfaces and dishes and how to handle them if you’re planning to let them help in the kitchen. See Madison’s (2.5 years old) hand placement and technique below.

  • Add pasta and chopped bacon and mix until combined.
  • Pour mixture into a lightly oiled cast iron pan.
  • Add dried basil and torn bread to a mixer to “crumble.
  • Sprinkle on top of mixture.
  • Bake for 45 – 60 minutes in preheated oven, or until top is golden brown.

Happy Eating!

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1 Comment

  1. September 10, 2014 / 12:01 pm

    How did I miss this?! This looks very yummy (minus the blue cheese)!! Who knew you used regular cheese too. I just might be able to make this…but this would be a recipe that I would be eating all alone. I don't think this would make the cut for homeboy…it's carb city!!! AND I think it's awesome that Madison cooks! She'll be a beast before she even leaves for college!

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