Cajun Mac

©2022

AuthorDartagnan
DifficultyIntermediate

”a Mac and Cheese for adults”

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Yields8 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time25 minsTotal Time45 mins
 1 lb Casarecce, Gemelli or any other type of twisted pasta
 4 oz pancetta, diced small
 1 bunch green onions
 3 tbsp unsalted butter
 2 tbsp all purpose flour
 1 tsp dry mustard
 2 cups heavy cream, warm
 2 cups white sharp cheddar
 1 cup gruyere, shredded
 1 cup Asiago, shredded
 1 cup extra sharp cheddar
 ½ cup fontina, shredded
 ½ cup smoked gouda, shredded
 ½ cup creme fraiche or sour cream
 1 tsp kosher salt
 1 tsp white pepper, finely ground
 ½ tsp Cayenne
1

Cook pasta in salted water according to directions for al dente. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside.

2

Bring small skillet to medium high heat. Add dice pancetta and fry until crisp, remove from heat and drain. Set aside for garnish.
Slice scallions on the diagonal until just in the whites of the green onion. Place in fridge until time to garnish.

3

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour and mustard and stir with a wooden spoon or whisk until a thick paste forms, 2 to 3 minutes.

4

Stir in the cream and bring mixture to a simmer, stirring until the sauce becomes thick.

5

Add the Gouda, Gruyere, Asiago, Cheddar, and white Cheddar, stirring the cheeses until melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the cooked pasta and stir well to combine.

6

Stir in the sour cream, salt, white pepper and cayenne. Cook until the ingredients are combined and hot, 2 to 3 minutes.

7

Transfer to serving bowl, top with pancetta and scallions.

Ingredients

 1 lb Casarecce, Gemelli or any other type of twisted pasta
 4 oz pancetta, diced small
 1 bunch green onions
 3 tbsp unsalted butter
 2 tbsp all purpose flour
 1 tsp dry mustard
 2 cups heavy cream, warm
 2 cups white sharp cheddar
 1 cup gruyere, shredded
 1 cup Asiago, shredded
 1 cup extra sharp cheddar
 ½ cup fontina, shredded
 ½ cup smoked gouda, shredded
 ½ cup creme fraiche or sour cream
 1 tsp kosher salt
 1 tsp white pepper, finely ground
 ½ tsp Cayenne

Directions

1

Cook pasta in salted water according to directions for al dente. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside.

2

Bring small skillet to medium high heat. Add dice pancetta and fry until crisp, remove from heat and drain. Set aside for garnish.
Slice scallions on the diagonal until just in the whites of the green onion. Place in fridge until time to garnish.

3

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour and mustard and stir with a wooden spoon or whisk until a thick paste forms, 2 to 3 minutes.

4

Stir in the cream and bring mixture to a simmer, stirring until the sauce becomes thick.

5

Add the Gouda, Gruyere, Asiago, Cheddar, and white Cheddar, stirring the cheeses until melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the cooked pasta and stir well to combine.

6

Stir in the sour cream, salt, white pepper and cayenne. Cook until the ingredients are combined and hot, 2 to 3 minutes.

7

Transfer to serving bowl, top with pancetta and scallions.

Notes

Cajun Mac