Remember last week, when I told you about the recipes that Joe brought home from The Patriot-News? The first recipe we tried was for spicy pulled pork, and it was really good. The next recipe from that article that we tried was smoky macaroni and cheese. It is comfort food at its finest, laden with cheese and heavy cream.
As Cookie Monster would say, this is a sometimes food. But it's sometimes now, and I ate this one all week, too. It was magnificent. The bread crumbs on top are crunchy and the sauce is just spicy enough to be flavorful, but not so much that it makes your nose run.
Next time, we're going to double the Cheddar cheese (because, you know, it didn't have enough cheese in it to begin with) and see if that makes it better or not.
Enjoy!
Smoky Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 3 cups macaroni uncooked
- 1.5 cups whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground red pepper
- 2 cups smoked Cheddar cheese shredded
- 29 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes well drained
- 1 small onion chopped and sauteed
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese this is NOT the shelf stable can o' dust you see at pizza shops
- ⅓ cup plain dry bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Instructions
- Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package. Return to saucepan; cover to keep warm.
- Heat oven to 375. Spray a 13x 9 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. In a 2-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream, mustard, mustard, salt, and red pepper to boiling. Reduce heat; stir in cheddar cheese with wire whisk until smooth.
- Pour sauce over macaroni. Stir in tomatoes and onions. Pour into baking dish. In small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Stir in oil. Sprinkle over top of macaroni mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are bubbly and top is golden brown.
barb says
It's a snow day here today, and this would be so yummy!
barb says
It's a snow day here today, and this would be so yummy!
amy says
YUM!! That sounds great!
This week we're trying a new mac and cheese recipe too. Extra sharp cheddar, granny smith apples and a cornbread topping. I love pasta!
amy says
YUM!! That sounds great!This week we're trying a new mac and cheese recipe too. Extra sharp cheddar, granny smith apples and a cornbread topping. I love pasta!
Dreamer says
Tis the season for comfort food. sounds absolutely sinful, thanks for sharing!
Dreamer says
Tis the season for comfort food. sounds absolutely sinful, thanks for sharing!
Brenda says
Homemade mac n cheese is such a delicious comfort food!
Brenda says
Homemade mac n cheese is such a delicious comfort food!
Sherry says
Ooohhh! This sounds like a great twist on regular mac n cheese! 😀
Sherry says
Ooohhh! This sounds like a great twist on regular mac n cheese! 😀
Rachel says
YUM YUM!
I love mac and cheese and I am always on the lookout for new versions! This sounds fantastic!!
Rachel says
YUM YUM!I love mac and cheese and I am always on the lookout for new versions! This sounds fantastic!!
[email protected] says
That sounds WONDERFUL.
[email protected] says
That sounds WONDERFUL.
Michelle says
Mmmmmm. I love adult mac and cheese (finally), but only the really good kind. I'll have to look for the fire roasted tomatoes, as I didn't know they premade those. I've been roasting my own in the oven, but it's not the easiest thing to do when I'm short on time -- I love this idea better... and I LOVE tomatoes in my mac and cheese. Thanks!
Michelle says
Mmmmmm. I love adult mac and cheese (finally), but only the really good kind. I'll have to look for the fire roasted tomatoes, as I didn't know they premade those. I've been roasting my own in the oven, but it's not the easiest thing to do when I'm short on time -- I love this idea better... and I LOVE tomatoes in my mac and cheese. Thanks!
lana says
wow! I had to forward this link to a friend of mine who is always looking for the perfect mac-n-cheese recipe!
lana says
wow! I had to forward this link to a friend of mine who is always looking for the perfect mac-n-cheese recipe!
Sab says
That sounds sooo good on a cold day!
Just to let you know, i'm having a hard time finding the comment button... it blends right into the background in explorer.
I also wanted to share some bloggy love with you! clicky...
Sab says
That sounds sooo good on a cold day!Just to let you know, i'm having a hard time finding the comment button... it blends right into the background in explorer.I also wanted to share some bloggy love with you! clicky...
SarahHub says
My mouth is watering!
SarahHub says
My mouth is watering!
peapodsquadmom says
oh wow...i'm so going to try this one this weekend. my mouth is watering just reading about it!
peapodsquadmom says
oh wow...i'm so going to try this one this weekend. my mouth is watering just reading about it!