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Heather's Dish

Faces of Beauty

Rosemary Macaroni 'n' Cheese

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Laura is on Faces of Beauty today!  AND it’s her birthday!

Guys, I’m at a loss for words today.

No, really…a loss for words.  The rosemary macaroni ‘n’ cheese completely erased my vocabulary.

Words like ‘stupendous’, ‘outstanding’, ‘the-best-thing-you’ve-ever-put-in-your-mouth’ (promptly followed with a ‘that’s what she said’) come to mind.  But those aren’t unique descriptors.  We all know other things that fit those descriptions, but this?  Guys, this will change your life.

As my friend Stefanie said when describing it to our friends who didn’t try it (she made it and has altered my life forever), “I know you didn’t have any, but I think you’d like it because you’re human.”

Indeed.

ROSEMARY MACARONI ‘n’ CHEESE

inspired by Cooks Illustrated


Breadcrumb topping:
1 TBSP Olive oil
1 Cup finely chopped shallots
1 TBSP finely chopped fresh rosemary
2 Cups coarsely ripped sourdough bread (I’m interjecting here to say you’re going to want to double this recipe and eat at least half while you cook.  It’s just how life works, guys)
1/4 cup finely chopped Italian parsley
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
In a heavy skillet, add olive oil until heated. Add shallots and rosemary, stir until tender and fragrant (oh wow, I wish I smelled like this all the time). Add the bread and parsley and stir for about 1 minute. Pour the bread into a baking dish and place in the oven while you make the mac n cheese.

Mac ‘N’ Cheese
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
6 TBSP (3/4 stick) butter
4 cups milk
3 cups (packed) extra sharp grated cheddar cheese (set 1 cup aside)
3 Cups (packed) Fontina cheese (set 1 cup aside)
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano Cheese, (set 1/4 cup aside)
8 cups cooked pasta of your liking

In the same heavy skillet, melt the butter on medium high heat. Add the flour, nutmeg, and cayenne all at once, and stir – do not brown! Gradually add the milk, bring to a simmer, and stir until it thickens – about 5 minutes. Add your cheeses, season generously with salt and a pinch of pepper, and stir until it’s all mixed.  Add your cooked pasta and mix it all up. Layer pasta, then a mix of your reserved cheeses, then pasta again in whatever baking dish works. Take your breadcrumbs out of the oven and put them on top of your pasta. Cover that baby with cheese, and pop it in the oven for 30 minutes with tin foil on the top, 10 minutes without the tin foil, and voila!
Some added notes from Stefanie include, “A cardiovascular catastrophe that smells like heaven and tastes like bliss!” and “I think it’d be great with bacon, but seriously? Does it need more saturated fat? Maybe tomatoes!”

Stef, I agree…it does smell like heaven and taste like bliss, but I can’t wrap my brain around the cardiovascular catastrophe part.  My argument is that it’s good for you because it makes your heart happy.  That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

And yes, it would be fabulous with both bacon AND tomatoes…and more cheese 🙂

Happy Friday y’all!

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Comments

  1. Heather C says

    September 27, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    I keep saying I’ll do a “homemade mac ‘n cheese” and well, no I clearly have no excuses. A “there are no words” post from you? This must be divine…. 😉

    Reply
  2. Duchess of Fork says

    September 26, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    Holy cow, this looks amazing. I would put rosemary on my cereal and ice cream if my husband didn’t think it was weird. I love the stuff!

    Reply
  3. Monique@She's Going The Distance says

    September 25, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Beautiful!! I recently made mac ‘n’ cheese and I think I need to do it again soon 🙂 Maybe your version the next time!

    Reply
  4. eatmovelove says

    September 25, 2010 at 6:36 pm

    …”it’s good for you because it makes your heart happy”.

    THAT made me happy.

    Thank you for that. Truly.

    I just had very cheesy, half-baked greasy pizza that’s sitting in my stomach like a brick – but heart was happy at the time …? 😉

    Reply
  5. Mary says

    September 25, 2010 at 6:28 pm

    Oh my lord that looks freaking delicious! I LOVE mac and cheese! 😀

    Reply
  6. kbwood says

    September 25, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    oh my goshhhh girl i LOVE mac and cheese! YUM!

    Reply
  7. The Waspy Redhead says

    September 25, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    Oh my goodness, this looks so delicious!

    Reply
  8. Kelly says

    September 25, 2010 at 7:59 am

    Hey girl…that mac and cheese looks EPIC! I want it right now. I still read even though I don’t comment often! Miss you! 🙂

    Reply
  9. kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com says

    September 25, 2010 at 7:15 am

    sourdough bread would be fantastic in this!! great choice for breadcrumbs!!! this is freaking oozingly delicious <3

    Reply
  10. Emily says

    September 24, 2010 at 8:09 pm

    There is something pretty frikkin cozy about rosemary and cheese… and pasta. And bacon. I am making this pronto!

    Reply
  11. Judith T. Ayers says

    September 24, 2010 at 5:34 pm

    Heavenly !!! Be sure to take in deep breaths to get the fullness of aroma.
    WONDERFUL STUFF!

    Reply
  12. Amber from Girl with the Red Hair says

    September 24, 2010 at 5:16 pm

    Just looking at that makes my heart happy. Must recreate soon!

    Reply
  13. Liz @ LBBakes says

    September 24, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    Mmm yes, add the bacon!!

    Reply
  14. Carrie says

    September 24, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    I’ve been dreaming about rosemary lately, awesome recipe! I need to grow some fresh rosemary.

    Reply
  15. Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says

    September 24, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    This looks so much better than the mac and cheese I ate today! SO much better.

    Reply
  16. LiveForTheRun says

    September 24, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    OK I attempted baked mac n cheese before, perhaps it’s time to try again!

    Reply
  17. Maria says

    September 24, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    I love the rosemary in there! YUM!

    Reply
  18. Rachel @ The Avid Appetite says

    September 24, 2010 at 11:56 am

    this sounds UH-MAZING! I’m actually not a huge fan of rosemary though…do you think I could leave it out?

    Reply
  19. Summah says

    September 24, 2010 at 11:34 am

    Oh, good gravy. This looks fantastic! I’m feeling a little sickly as of late and I want this to be in my mouth, now.

    Reply
  20. brightbakes says

    September 24, 2010 at 11:13 am

    Incredible looking!!!! I’m making this for my husband the first chance I get, as homemade macaroni and cheese is dear to his heart!! (not that it’s so far away from mine, either) Thanks for sharing…
    Cathy B. @ brightbakes

    Reply
  21. spabettie says

    September 24, 2010 at 11:12 am

    this sounds amazing. stupendous. outstanding… 😀

    I want to make this immediately.

    Reply
  22. Natalia - a side of simple says

    September 24, 2010 at 10:33 am

    Go all the way. Give it bacon!

    Reply
  23. Joslyn @ missfitbliss says

    September 24, 2010 at 10:26 am

    Wow that looks like a great dish to make for Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  24. Matt says

    September 24, 2010 at 10:21 am

    I need to make that STAT!

    Reply
  25. Amber's Notebook says

    September 24, 2010 at 10:11 am

    Ohh my goodness that sounds {and looks} amazing!

    Reply
  26. Liz @ Tip Top Shape says

    September 24, 2010 at 9:59 am

    haha, I like that mentality!! Can I also say that about the half pint of ice cream that I demolished last night?? lol

    Great recipe!!! Definitely add to my to-cook list 🙂

    Reply
  27. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

    September 24, 2010 at 9:30 am

    My mouth literally watered while reading this post. And bacon, yes!

    Reply
  28. Chicago Cuisine Critique says

    September 24, 2010 at 9:21 am

    Who doesn’t love mac n’ cheese? This looks fantastic! What a great recipe!

    Reply
  29. Mads says

    September 24, 2010 at 9:07 am

    I never thought of rosemary! Perfect!
    I bet it tastes heavenly.

    Mac n’ cheese can’t be beat, except maybe by pizza. mmmm foooooood. *drool*

    Reply
  30. Sarah for Real says

    September 24, 2010 at 9:07 am

    Ding ding ding!!! We have a winner!

    Oh my goodness! It’s only 9am here but I must head home and make this right away. I have been craaaaving mac n cheese since the weather turned all Fall like. This is all fancy and grown-up- like too!

    I for one, will make it with whole milk AND bacon thankyouverymuch! And it will be HEALTHY fat (omega-3 anyone?) because it’s from local, grass fed cows and pastured pigs. Oh yes, it can be done!

    I think my coffee just kicked in… long comment, sorry!

    Reply
  31. Maren says

    September 24, 2010 at 9:00 am

    Macaroni and cheese is one of those things thats always good. Especially in fall and winter. Such a cool idea to add Rosemary. I usually add some garlic powder and black pepper to mine, but this rosemary thing seems much more- adult, haha.

    Reply
  32. Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says

    September 24, 2010 at 8:40 am

    How did you know I was craving mac & cheese?

    Reply
  33. Anna says

    September 24, 2010 at 8:40 am

    Annnnnnd, now I’M at a loss of words. No, wait: YUM.

    Reply
  34. G @ nutritious foodie says

    September 24, 2010 at 8:28 am

    Great minds think alike 🙂 We had Mac & Cheese last night… Rosmary sounds wonderful I should try that next time.

    Reply
  35. Beth says

    September 24, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Woah I can’t even come up with a good word for that – incredible! Adding herbs to mac and cheese is such a great way to add some flair! 🙂

    Reply
  36. Brittney says

    September 24, 2010 at 7:54 am

    Whoa! That’s out of control! WANT!

    Reply
  37. Nic says

    September 24, 2010 at 7:01 am

    Oh no you didn’t! This is the perfect weekend recipe! Yum, yum!

    Reply
  38. Kara @ MyWellnest says

    September 24, 2010 at 6:32 am

    Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food for me. This looks amazing! Happy Friday!

    Reply
  39. Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says

    September 24, 2010 at 6:29 am

    definitely DEFINITELY making this at some point this fall.

    Consider it book marked 🙂

    Reply
  40. Tabitha (From Single to Married) says

    September 24, 2010 at 6:29 am

    Love comfort food, especially as it starts to get chillier outside. Yummmm

    Reply
  41. Jessica @ How Sweet says

    September 24, 2010 at 6:24 am

    I want this now. With the bacon.

    Reply
  42. Estela @ Weekly Bite says

    September 24, 2010 at 6:24 am

    Your recipes keep on getting better and better!!! Love this one!

    Reply
  43. Salah says

    September 24, 2010 at 6:24 am

    mmmmmmmmm I’m salivating

    Reply
  44. couchpotatoathlete says

    September 24, 2010 at 6:17 am

    Nothing is better than mac and cheese in the fall 🙂

    I love BAKED M&C instead of just making it on the stove — it tastes so much more homey and wonderful that way.

    Reply
  45. Tina says

    September 24, 2010 at 6:07 am

    Yay! I caught your post earlier since I saw the tweet. Since Reader likes to hide posts from each other until later. Stupid reader. 😉

    And yea. That’s good for you because it makes you happy. I’m all for that! 😀

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. September Lessons Learned | More Fruit Please says:
    September 24, 2010 at 6:22 pm

    […] automatically bumps you up to gourmet chef level. It doesn’t matter if the dish is fries or mac ‘n’ cheese. Rosemary makes the food fancy and that makes you […]

    Reply

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