There are some recipes where you know from the name that it’s an absolute comfort food. Mac and cheese is undoubtedly one of them. But in this version, for a change, we’re not using your run of the mill cheddar, but aromatic fresh goat cheese. Mouthwatering already? Then read below to find out just how to make this comfort food perfectly!
Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese: A Classic With a Rich Twist
Mac and cheese is one of the most iconic dishes in American cuisine. It feels so homey, that it’s hard to imagine not having a mac’n’cheese recipe at the ready! Although pasta bakes have been around for a while, mac and cheese’s breakthrough can be traced back to the 20th century. As instant food mixes were developed and the workforce was shifting, the American kitchen saw the rise of the instant mac and cheese in the continental kitchen.
Thankfully, in the last century we’ve had time to tinker and toy with this gorgeous recipe. Our goat cheese mac and cheese is all about down-home indulence and an ode to home cooking. You’ll prepare everything yourself, without any instant products. This recipe’s goat cheese alternative to the classic cheese version provides a fine flavor with particular depth. To pair with the dish’s richness, a medley of spices will round off the dish aromatically.
The main role is played, how could it be otherwise, by the pasta. You can, of course, use any type of pasta you prefer. The most important thing is that they can absorb the sauce well. After all, that’s exactly why this dish became so popular.
But, of course, who doesn’t love a bit of extra crispiness and flavor to their mac? Our recipe calls for panko which provides just the right amount of texture. Panko originally comes from Japan and is made using a special process, which makes it even crispier than our common breadcrumbs. Meanwhile Parmesan adds a bit of flavorful depth, and its butter combines everything into a golden brown crust. So this goat cheese mac and cheese is a piece of fusion cuisine at its finest.
At Scrumdiddlyumptious, we provide you with delicious recipe ideas for every occasion and every day, like our Tajín watermelon sticks, lentil balls in coconut curry sauce, and pizza muffins.
Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the pasta:
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3½ oz fresh goat cheese
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
For the topping:
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 oz Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook the macaroni in plenty of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the roux is golden brown.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until a smooth sauce forms. Add the goat cheese and seasonings. Stir well until the sauce has thickened and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the sauce and pour everything into a lightly greased baking dish.
- For the topping, combine panko, Parmesan, and melted butter. Spread the mixture evenly over the pasta.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.