Macaroni & Cheese Recipes

Ingredients

8 ounces dry small elbow macaroni or mini penne
1 tablespoon white truffle oil
4 ounces pancetta or slab bacon, finely diced
3 ounce button mushrooms, sliced
2 3/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup Tillamook® Butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 1/2 cups Tillamook® Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
3/4 cup Gruyere, shredded
1 cup Tillamook® Vintage White Smoked Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded and divided
4 tablespoons snipped fresh chives, divided
6 tablespoons Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs or fresh breadcrumbs
Long chive strips for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Cook macaroni in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to the bite, stir occasionally; drain well. Transfer to a large bowl; toss with truffle oil.

In medium nonstick skillet over medium heat add pancetta; sauté and stir until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add mushrooms; sauté until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and place on paper towels. Set aside and keep warm.

Bring milk to simmer in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; stir until pale golden, about 1 minute. Whisk in hot milk. Cook over medium heat until thickened; stir frequently, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salt, white pepper, nutmeg and red pepper. Add extra sharp cheddar cheese, gruyere, 1/2 cup vintage white smoked extra sharp cheddar cheese and 3 tablespoons chives; stir until melted. Add elbow macaroni and pancetta mixture to cheese sauce; toss to coat.

Preheat broiler. Divide macaroni & cheese mixture between six (1 1/2 cups) soufflé baking cups measuring 3-3/4” x 2-1/2” or 4-1/2” x 2”. Sprinkle each with 1 heaping tablespoon vintage white smoked extra sharp cheddar cheese and 1 tablespoon panko; sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon chives. Broil until crumbs are golden brown, about 1 minute. Garnish with chive strips or as desired.