Macaroni & Cheese w/ Hatch Green Chilies from The brown Eyed Baker

Four years ago: Traditional Pavlova

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HATCH CHILE MAC AND CHEESE

yield: 8 servings

prep time: 20 minutes

cook time: 20 minutes

total time: 40 minutes

Wonderfully creamy macaroni and cheese made with seasonal Hatch chiles. Substitute poblano or Anaheim chiles if you can't get Hatch chiles.

INGREDIENTS:

For the Macaroni and Cheese:
16 ounces cavatappi pasta (or shaped pasta of your choice)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1½ cups)
6 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded (about 1½ cups)
Salt and pepper, to taste
5 Hatch chiles, roasted, seeded and finely chopped

For the Topping:
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about ½ cup)
2 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded (about ½ cup)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup plain breadcrumbs

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Heat a large pot of water over high heat for the pasta; cover.

2. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook the pasta according to the box directions for al dente pasta (if your box doesn't specify al dente, cook it for 1 to 2 minutes shorter than the time called for - it shouldn't be cooked the whole way through). When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it in a colander.

3. While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. In a large saucepan, melt the 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, until the flour starts to brown a bit and smells nutty, whisking constantly. In a slow, steady stream, whisk in the milk. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer.

4. Once the sauce comes to a simmer, stir in 6 ounces each of the cheddar and gouda cheeses, adding a handful at a time and stirring with a wooden spoon until completely melted before adding the next handful. Season with salt and pepper and turn off the heat.

5. Add the cooked, drained pasta and Hatch chiles to the sauce. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything is completely combined and evenly distributed. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

6. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the breadcrumbs.

7. Sprinkle the macaroni and cheese with the remaining shredded cheeses. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top of the cheese.

8. Bake until browned and bubbly, about 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.