Description
This Million Dollar Christmas Mac and Cheese is a festive and indulgent twist on the classic comfort dish. Featuring five types of cheese and savory turkey bacon, it’s baked to golden perfection with a crunchy, buttery breadcrumb topping. Aromatic herbs like fresh thyme and rosemary add holiday flair, making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser for Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for depth of flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
Additional Ingredients
- 6 slices turkey bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
Topping
- ½ cup breadcrumbs mixed with 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a large baking dish or individual cocottes to prevent sticking and add richness to the backing surface.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to keep warm.
- Make Roux: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for about one minute to form a roux, which will thicken your cheese sauce.
- Add Milk and Cream: Slowly pour in 3 cups of milk and ½ cup of heavy cream, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Melt Cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in the cheeses—sharp cheddar, Gruyère, cream cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella—one at a time until fully melted and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, thyme, and rosemary to enhance the flavor.
- Combine Pasta and Bacon: Add the cooked pasta and crumbled turkey bacon to the cheese sauce, mixing gently to ensure every piece is well coated.
- Assemble and Top: Transfer the cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish or cocottes. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb and melted butter mixture on top to create a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbling.
- Rest and Serve: Let the mac and cheese rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the sauce to thicken slightly, then serve warm and enjoy your festive comfort food!
Notes
- You can substitute turkey bacon with regular bacon or pancetta if preferred.
- For a richer sauce, use full-fat milk and cream as indicated.
- For added texture, consider mixing in sautéed onions or garlic before adding the flour.
- The Dijon mustard is optional but adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the cheese sauce.
- If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and substitute the flour with a gluten-free thickener.
- Breadcrumb topping can be replaced with crushed crackers or panko for extra crunch.
