Zesty Mac & Cheese

My new little casserole dish came with a caddy to keep it from ever needing a pot holder. It’s as if it’s saying, “I don’t want to meet your daddy, I just want mac & cheese in my caddy.” … when it sings along with Outkast, that is.

If you are at a loss as to what to pair with BBQ-ed goodness, this is the stuff. Put this on a plate with ribs/pulled pork/BBQ chicken/vegetarian BBQ-anything and nobody will cry if the foods intermingle. Trust me.

Because the truth is, this stuff goes super-well with BBQ sauce. It’s as if they met on match.com and are now on the commercial proving their love.

P.S. This is zesty instead of hot and spicy.

Zesty Macaroni & Cheese {I made a recipe and a half to fit in my new dish}
Recipe adapted from my mom’s love for mac & cheese

• 2 cups uncooked medium shell, pasta (to keep it real like Slows)
• 4 T butter (1/2 stick)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup cheddar + more if you’re feeling cheesy
• salt + pepper, to taste
• 1 t dry mustard
• 1 t dried minced onions
• 1/2-1 t garlic powder
• 1/2-1 t chipotle smoked hot pepper
• 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 T olive oil

Directions:

1. Cook your noodles; drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 1 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Using the same pan, on a low heat, melt the butter. Add flour and stir until combined. Stir in milk. When thickened add the sour cream, parmesan salt, pepper, and spices.
3. When blended and thickened a bit more, add the cheddar. Turn the burner off and stir until all of the cheese is melted. Add the noodles to the pan and stir until until evenly distributed. Taste it and see if you want to add any more spice.
4. Pour mac and cheese into the prepared dish. In a small bowl drizzle olive oil over panko. Toss to coat the crumbs. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the cheesy goodness and bake for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly and starting to get crunchy and golden on top.

Have a pretty cocktail with your BBQ-ed goodness, ok?