Spicy Soulful Five Cheese Mac Recipes

SPICY MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss together pasta with the cheese cubes and pour into a greased 2qt oven safe baking dish.
• In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg and sour cream, egg, heavy cream and half-and-half.
• Pour the mixture over the pasta and cover with shredded Cheddar.
• Bake uncovered at 350 degrees until top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes.
• Cut the bread into crouton-sized squares. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter, add cubes and toast until golden. Sprinkle the bread cubes on top of the macaroni and cheese and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes more.
• *Note: to make this even easier I just sprinkle dried breadcrumbs on top of the casserole and then spray it with pam and bake it for ten more minutes -- that trick right there will save you another 5-10 minutes ;).

CHEESE LOVERS 5 CHEESE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and butter a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain.
• In a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot, saute the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Saute the onion in the bacon drippings until soft. Add the 5 tablespoons butter to the onion mixture and melt the butter stirring with a wooden spoon.
• Using a whisk, add the flour, and stir constantly until well mixed with the fat making a roux. Whisk in the mustard. Gradually add the milk and cream whisking constantly.
• Add the thyme, bay leaf, and salt. Let come to a simmer and stir frequently for 15 minutes.
• Strain the hot milk mixture into a metal bowl and discard the solids. Working quickly, mix in 1 cup fontina, blue cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere, 1/2 cup white Cheddar, 1/2 cup Parmesan, the reserved bacon, and parsley. Continue to stir until all cheese is melted.
• Add the cooked noodles to the cheese mixture to coat. Add the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Mix the remaining cheese and bread crumbs together and sprinkle on top of the noodles. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown. Remove from oven when done and rest for 5 minutes.