Monster Mac Recipes

MONSTER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the spinach to the blender, pushing it down toward the bottom to fit it all. Carefully ladle out 1/4 cup of the boiling water and add it to the spinach. Blend until smooth, about 10 seconds. Do not over blend or it will muddy the vibrant color. Set aside to cool.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, toss together the pepper jack, Sage Derby cheese and cornstarch in a bowl until well combined.
• Set a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the evaporated milk and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the cheese mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is silky and smooth, about 5 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the spinach puree, then toss with the pasta.

GOURMET MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Boil pasta in boiling salted water until very al dente?about 3 minutes less than the box instructions (it will finish in the oven).
• Render pancetta in a large oven-safe pan or French braiser over medium heat until still chewy and not quite crispy, about 20 minutes (it will finish crisping in the oven). Remove pancetta and drain all but 1 tablespoon rendered fat. Add butter, melt and then add flour to make roux. Whisk until smooth, then cook until blonde in color, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic, Dijon and hot sauce. Whisking vigorously, slowly add milk. Bring to simmer, whisking constantly, then cook, whisking occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Add fontina, Gruyere, Havarti and blue cheese and season with salt and pepper. Mix in pasta until fully coated. Cover entire top with pancetta and bake until bubbly and gooey, 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with chives and serve immediately.
• Unbaked Gourmet Mac & Cheese can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before baking, and add on another 10 minutes in the oven.

MONSTER MAC

Steps:

• Place a cast iron skillet in the oven. Preheat oven to 350. While the oven is preheating bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
• When oven is hot and water in the pot on the stove is boiling, pull out the skillet, add 2 rounds of olive oil, add turkey and saute until no longer pink (about 5 minutes).
• As soon as the turkey is cooked add pasta to water and cook until al dente (5-6 minutes).
• Add pasta sauce, miracle whip and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
• Drain pasta (reserving about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid) and add both to the sauce mixture. Stir to combine.
• Place in oven (covered) and heat 15-30 minutes to allow the sauce to penetrate the pasta.