Saturday, April 18, 2015

Truffled Macaroni and Cheese developed by Pastel Painter Cooks

Individual mini casseroles to freeze and bake later.
I start with a basic microwave cream sauce then add my choice of cheeses, mix in macaroni and top with truffle and Parmesan infused panko bread crumbs.
So let's get started....
Cream Sauce
4 tablespoons melted butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups of milk
Pinch nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cayenne 
In a microwave bowl melt 4 tablespoons butter remove and whisk in 4 tablespoons flour.
Then whisk in 2 cups of milk, microwave until sauce thickens maybe five minutes, stir in between. Add two cups of your choice of grated cheese( I use white cheeses such as a mix of Swiss,Monterey Jack and Fontina.
Let sit to melt cheese or put back in micro to melt.
Add pinch of nutmeg,1/4 tsp. cayenne and pinch garlic powder. I don't add salt as the cheese can be enough with macaroni cooked in salted water, but that's your choice!

Boil 2 cups of any pasta in salted water and drain.
Add to cheesy cream sauce and mix.

Panko Bread Crumbs
Place 1 cup plain Panko bread crumbs in a bowl and add 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated.
Mix and add 2 tablespoons of melted butter to which you add one tablespoon of white truffle oil and mix. Pour crumbs over macaroni/pasta that you have place in a large casserole or individual ramekins.

Bake at 325° in a preheated oven for about 15 min. till  bubbly, or wrap individual ramekins with plastic wrap to serve later. You can freeze before baking then remove and bake later. You can also reheat by just microwaving as panko crumbs stay crunchy.

I developed this recipe because I fell in love with a Truffled  Mac and Cheese frozen food by evol that I found at Target for $4 a small container.  
This is Yummo!