Macaroni
& Cheese Easy to Make Potluck Favorite
Recipe & Photo by Paul Muehlberg/Contributing Writer
INGREDIENTS
• 3 ounces kettle style potato chips • 1 tablespoon melted butter • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, (approximately 1/8 cup) • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (½ tsp if using dried) • 1 pound casarecce pasta or your preferred pasta shape • 5 tablespoons butter, divided • 4 large shallots, finely chopped • Kosher salt as needed • ¼ cup all purpose flour • 1 quart whole milk • freshly ground black pepper, as needed • 1 teaspoon ground mustard • 4 ounces aged white cheddar, grated (approximately 2 cups) • 12 ounces gruyere cheese, grated (approximately 4 cups) • 5 tablespoons butter, divided
With Mother’s Day and Memorial Day potlucks and picnics in full swing, it’s time to pull out my tried ‘n’ true Mac ‘n’ Cheese recipe. Our family tradition for both of these holidays is to pick up a bucket of chicken from KFC; everyone brings a side, and we head to Lake Ponca for lunch and a day in the sun.
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
minutes or until the edges are just beginning to brown. Stir in the flour and the ground mustard. Pulse the potato chips in a food processor to Cook for two minutes. Slowly whisk the milk a sandy texture about 10-15 seconds. Add 1 into the flour and slowly heat to a gentle tablespoon of the melted butter, parmesan and simmer. Remove from the heat and add the cheddar and gruyere cheeses. Stir until smooth the thyme. Pulse to combine about 2-3 pulses. and the cheese is fully melted. Salt and pepper to taste. (you may not need In a large pot of salted boiling any salt depending on the water, add the pasta and Prep Time: 15 minutes saltiness of your cheese). cook to al dente according Add the pasta and stir until to package directions. Drain Cook Time : 60-75 minutes well combined. Transfer to pasta and rinse under cold Servings: 6 a baking dish and sprinkle water. the top with the potato chip topping. Bake for 25-30 Set a large heavy bottomed pot under medium heat and melt 5 tablespoons minutes or until the pasta is bubbly and the top of the butter. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt. is golden brown. Sweat the shallots over medium-low heat for 5-7
May 2021
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