Truffle Bacon Mac Cheese Recipes

TRUFFLE BACON MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
• Cover a baking sheet in foil. Place the strips of bacon on the baking sheet and place in the preheated oven for about 17 minutes or to desired crispiness. I usually leave it a little softer than normal because it will continue to cook a little bit when you add to the final dish.
• While the bacon is in the oven I suggest shredding both the extra sharp cheddar and gruyere cheese into a giant bowl.
• Once the bacon is done. Turn your oven down to 325 degrees. Drain the bacon on some paper towels. Chop into chunks on a cutting board and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of kosher salt and a splash of olive oil while it's warming up. Once it's boiling add your noodles and cook according to the package directions. I used Fusilli noodles but you could use traditional macaroni if you like.
• Once the pasta noodles are done, drain and set aside while you make the roux.
• Start by melting the butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously to combine for about one minute. Don't stop whisking! It's important to not let it burn.
• Slowly pour in the milk. If you pour too much at once it will start to bubble over the top of the pot. Once it settles down, pour in the heavy cream. (Note: I find that letting the milk and heavy cream sit out on the counter for about ten minutes helps it blend easier) Keep whisking until the roux gets very thick and creamy.
• Once the roux is done add the white truffle oil and whisk it in. Then add the spices and seasonings. Stir in 3 cups of the cheese mixture until completely melted and remove from the heat.
• Blend the parsley and garlic in a food processor for a few seconds. Then add the bread crumbs. Pulse a few more seconds and set aside.
• In the large pot that you used to make the pasta, combine the noodles, cheese sauce, and bacon. Once combined pour one layer into a glass baking dish that has been coated with non-stick spray. Then add half of the remaining cheese to the first layer. Pour more of the noodles in the baking dish and top with any remaining cheese. Finish it off by sprinkling the bread crumb mixture over the top.
• Place in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. If you want it a little bit crispier, you can bake it for 20 minutes, but know that this will make it a little more dry.
• Serve in a bread bowl for maximum deliciousness!

TRUFFLED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Heat the butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan, add the mushrooms, and cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are tender. Add the sherry and continue to saute for a few more minutes, until the sherry is absorbed. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Add the pasta and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until al dente. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, melt the truffle butter in a large (4-quart) saucepan and whisk in the flour. Cook for 2 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Slowly whisk in the hot milk and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the white sauce is thickened and creamy. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, the pepper, and nutmeg.
• Combine the pasta, sauce, and mushrooms in a large bowl and pour them into a 10 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish.
• Place the garlic and parsley in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until they're minced. Add the bread crumbs and pulse to combine. Sprinkle the crumbs over the pasta and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the crumbs are golden brown. Serve hot.