Macaroni & Cheese Recipes

Cornbread Topped Apple Macaroni & Cheese

Tillamook Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese

People's Choice Finalist

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2008 People's Choice Award Winner, Tillamook® Macaroni & Cheese Recipe Contest
Melissa LaCaille, Kirkland, WA

Cook Time:
35 Minutes
Prep Time:
20 Minutes
Serving Size:
8+

Ingredients

6 tablespoons Tillamook® Unsalted Butter, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup diced onion
2 cups crumbled cornbread
2 cups dry elbow macaroni
1/4 cup flour
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Tillamook® Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar
1 1/2 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples, or other tart apples

Preparation

Place rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 350 °F. Lightly butter a 2 1/2-quart baking dish.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter with olive oil. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cornbread; set aside.

In a large pot bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt and macaroni. Cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally. Pasta is done when it is slightly chewy to the bite or al dente. Drain pasta in a colander and set aside.

Prepare sauce while pasta is cooking. In a medium saucepan melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook about 3 minutes, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in half-and-half and milk. Bring just to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking often until sauce begins to thicken, about 1 minute. Stir in salt, pepper and cinnamon. Reduce heat to low. Add the cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Remove pan from heat and gently stir in macaroni and apples. Pour the pasta mixture into prepared baking dish and top with reserved cornbread mixture.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and top begins to brown. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Comments:

Annalise (8 months ago)

I made this recipe tonight and it was even better than I thought! Great combo of all the flavors!

Tiffany (8 months ago)

Ethan told my husband Shawn about this recipe. We LOVE adults and kids alike. YUMMY!

vern (8 months ago)

A real potluck pleaser. Everybody liked it and told others to try it. Only problem, no leftovers to take home for later.

Jessica (9 months ago)

I'm bookmarking this recipe... cornbread topped mac & cheese?!!? Sounds divine!

Erma T. (9 months ago)

This sounds so good. Thanks for this recipe. I am always looking for new recipes to take to church.

Ralph Monis (9 months ago)

This recipe is better than a foot rub!!!!

Valerie (9 months ago)

This recipe is amazing!
Thank you!

Carol (9 months ago)

What a great recipe!!

The Boss (9 months ago)

I had the source make it for me for a party I was having the morning after. Needless to say that we only had 1/3 left after dinner the prior night. Extremely addictive and excellent taste in every bite! Highly recommended!

Nate and Mary (9 months ago)

We were lucky enough to have a batch prepared by the inventor herself. It was so good we had half of it gone within 15 minutes. We managed to share some with family and friends and the reviews were raving. It's so good and so "dirty!"

Mary (9 months ago)

We got to try this from the chef herself, and it was sooooo good, we at half of it within 15 minutes. We managed to share the rest with our friends and family, and they all agreed it is so very delicious!

David L. (9 months ago)

Fantastic twist to a classic dish. This has a great blend of flavor in every bite.

Beth Simionescu (10 months ago)

My goodness! Apples and cheddar!! Duh! We eat them all the time hereat home on our cheese tray -- I am so excited to try it. So simple and so brilliant. Congrats.

Rich (10 months ago)

I don't cook... ever. But this sounded so good I had to try it for my company pot-luck. Turned out great... and impressed my boss so much I got a promotion! Thank you Cheese... for all your gooey glory. And thank you Melissa, for inventing this tasty treat!

Meghan Dort (10 months ago)

Mmm - fantastic!

Rita (10 months ago)

I'm not a big mac and cheese fan, but the ease of this recipe and the addition of the apples and cornbread have sold me. I'm downloading the recipe right now.

john hannaford (10 months ago)

great recipe!!!!!!!!

Denise (10 months ago)

Sounds yummy, I want to try it!

Shena (10 months ago)

What a phenomenal combination of flavors and ingredients! This is a new house favorite and I love that it is easy to make, but doesn't taste like it. Thanks for a great new twist on a classic! YUM.

Debbie L.-Boise (10 months ago)

Yum Yum! Just in time for fall!

Way to go!

Sheila (10 months ago)

This is great! I made it last night. Tillamook special reserve extra sharp cheddar cheese is my husband's favorite and our apple tree was willing to contribute. We loved it.

Linda Esping (10 months ago)

There's nothing about a noodle that we don't like, but this combination is a winner. Comfort food at its best!

Karen (10 months ago)

Looks delicious!! Can't wait to try it!!

Chris Owings (10 months ago)

My mouth is watering :D

E$ (10 months ago)

Mmmmmmmmmmmm!!

paul (10 months ago)

are you kidding me, this is delicious. Hire this girl at Betty Crocker, Tillamook, or your local eatery.

Candace Lee (10 months ago)

This sounds yummy Melissa! I'm not a cook and I think I can make this easily! Thanks for the great recipe :)

Julie (10 months ago)

I tried this recipe at a party last week and loved it.:) I run a lot and would definitely eat an entire recipe after a marathon. Thanks Melissa!

Reid Dice (10 months ago)

Thi recipe is great. I am 75 yrs old, and cannot spend much time on any one thing (health). It deserves all the votes that I can give it. THANKS!!!

Camille (10 months ago)

Whoa- my tastebuds are salivating :)- I love the sweet and savory combo- I'm going to attempt this over the holiday weekend!

Monica S (10 months ago)

Wow, this sounds so good! I'm making it tonight.

Olivia (10 months ago)

What a wonderful "comfy food" dish idea with a great combination. I've printed out the recipe and I'm ready to try it on my own!

Pam (10 months ago)

Wow, this sounds easy as well as yummy!Thanks for creating a variation to the all time classic dish!

Sarah Phelps (10 months ago)

So good!!

B.J. (10 months ago)

Sounds good! Gets my vote from
Arkansas.

Jan (10 months ago)

What a great way to get a serving of fruit into comfort food!

RICH MERCATANTE (10 months ago)

WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE APPLES DOING IN A MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE?

Andrea (10 months ago)

Great the first time, and also as leftovers! I have to say, this is an easy to prepare recipe that I can make with what's lying around already... You can't beat it for taste OR convenience!

D. L. Andwerson (10 months ago)

Sounds good for this Fall cooler weather. Can't wait to taste it. dla

julimac (10 months ago)

Sounds good. We're always up for new ways of doing some of the favorites around here. Will spread that word at http://contrarienne.blogspot.com/

Pam Cochran (10 months ago)

My grand children will love this one.

Mary R. (10 months ago)

My Daughter loves Mac and cheese, she will love this recipe.

Laura Sowers Capo (10 months ago)

This sounds fantastic - I can't wait to make this, light a fire and enjoy the goodness of comfort food! Thanks for the twist on an old favorite!

Diane Aust (10 months ago)

Yum.... a new twist on our regular "comfort food!" Must try this for our grandchildren.

Sharon Tuttle (10 months ago)

Quick & easy - a great combination, on top of tasting great! Not to mention a real kid pleaser!!

Cam Mandeville (10 months ago)

This is definitely a turn on the standard mac and cheese fare and certainly gets my vote! Thanks!!!! CLM

Joyce Kaplan (10 months ago)

This really sounds yummy! Thanks for being creative

Linsey O'Donnell (10 months ago)

Sounds yummmmy!!!!

Bob Delf (10 months ago)

Sounds yummy :-)

Wendy Schall (10 months ago)

This sounds yummy, and my family loves Mac and Cheese!!

Shawn L (10 months ago)

Sounds like a good one. All the comfort foods & flavors I love.

Michelle (10 months ago)

Wow, this sounds great. Thanks for the idea!

Denise (10 months ago)

This Mac and Cheese is amazing. I just had to try it after I read the recipe and I was not disapppointed. It is a simple recipe with simple ingredients but the taste is anything but simple. Thanks for the recipe!

Kathy Collings (10 months ago)

I will definitely try this one! What a treat/combo!

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