Hello, y'all! I hope you were excited about our last holiday side dish, my famous Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk, Bacon, and Cilantro. This time I am going to be sharing with you Mac and Cheese Carbonara, a recipe adapted from Chef Bobby Flay.
I though this mac and cheese might be a great side dish to add to either our Thanksgiving or Christmas table -- or as an everyday main dish as well. Chef Bobby Flay's Mac and Cheese Carbonara is a scrumptious variation on the traditional mac and cheese. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the traditional mac and cheese, but having something familiar on our plates with a new flavor can be exciting, don't you think?
In case you didn't know, the term Carbonara applies to an Italian pasta dish from Rome that was created in the middle of the 20th century, and is based on eggs, cheese (Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano), bacon or pancetta, and black pepper. Although spaghetti is the customary pasta used, we will be using elbow macaroni to compose our mac and cheese carbonara... A real fusion between American and Italian cuisine!!
I hope that you enjoy our creamy mac and cheese as much as my family and I did.
xx
Mac & Cheese Carbonara
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 strips of uncooked smoked bacon cut into small dice
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 6 - 7 cups whole milk heated
- 4 large egg yolks lightly whisked
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups freshly grated Asiago cheese plus more for the top
- 1-½ cups white Cheddar plus more for the top
- 1-½ cups sharp yellow Cheddar plus more for the top
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese plus more for the top
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano plus more for the top
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound elbow macaroni cooked just under al dente
- ½ cup coarsely chopped Italian parley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (about 177 degrees C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 3-quart baking dish with butter and set aside.
- In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Add the garlic to the pan and cook until lightly golden brown. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Next, whisk in 6 cups of the hot milk, increase the heat to high, and cook, whisking constantly until thickened, for 3-5 minutes. Whisk in the light beaten egg yolks until incorporated and let cook for 1- 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in the chopped chives, cayenne, and all of the cheese until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper. If the mixture appears too thick, add some of the remaining milk ¼ cup at a time.
- Mix in the cooked macaroni, reserved bacon and chopped parsley, and stir until combined. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Combine together additional Asiago, Cheddars, Mozzarella, and Parmigiano cheeses in a bowl and sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni. Bake in the oven until heated through and the top is lightly golden brown (about 12-15 minutes). Remove from the oven and let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
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Sowmya says
This looks fantastic! Definitely on my must make list
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Sowmya!
Asmita says
Omg!
This looks incredible!!!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Asmita!
Leslie says
This looks amazing but the 6 1/2 cups of cheese will have to stop me.
Denise Browning says
LOL...I know!!!! But it is what makes this dish so good...
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I need this mac and cheese in my belly asap! Looks amazing!
Denise Browning says
Enjoy, Pamela! This is a great recipe from Chef Bobby Flay.
Raymund says
My daughters two favorite things combined into one, she would love this so much
Denise Browning says
Me too, Raymund! I love both pasta and cheese.
Coffee and Crumpets says
A nice twist on the traditional Denise! Looks really good!
Nazneen
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nazneen! Chef Bobby Flay did a great job on this recipe.
Cquek says
Oh yes lots of cheese I am going to have that on the weekend.
Denise Browning says
Enjoy, Cquek!
Amy Tong says
Oh my! Your Mac and Cheese Carbonara looks so decadent and absolutely my kind of comfort food!
Denise Browning says
Thanks a lot, Amy!
john@kitchenriffs says
Terrific dish! I use bacon in my mac 'n cheese sometime, but have never gone whole carbonara treatment. Love the idea! So good - thanks.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, John! This recipe from Chef Bobby Flay is terrific!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Wohoooo, girl this is out of the world crazy good looking.
I agree with Nusrat, it looks like golden heaven, I reallllllly am tempted to take a dip. The pictures are pinterest gold mine, seriously looks so good.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, my dear!
nusrat2010 says
Jesus tap dancing Christ! Your golden mac and cheese shots almost gave me a heart attack! That dish looks like a gold mine!
I could die a million deaths just to have only a spoon full of that cheesy beauty 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nusrat! This was one delicious dish!!!
Deb says
Oh my goodness! This Carbonara is so luscious I want to have this for dinner instead of the holidays, that way I will have room for a second scoop!
Denise Browning says
Thanks so much, my dear Deb! You are always so amazing and sweet!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
This looks so comforting! I don't know when I'll take a plunge and try mac and cheese. The cheese scares me 😀
Denise Browning says
Kiran: The cheese is the best part of the dish...:)
Liz says
Who knew you could make mac and cheese even better???? Your carbonara version looks incredible, Denise!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Liz!
Ana Cláudia says
Traduzi a receita no tradutor do google Denise, mas realmente percebi que alguns nomes de queijos são desconhecidos para nós no Brasil. Mas vou encontrar outras receitas deliciosas que certamente poderei fazer. Lindos pratos, ver isso na hora do almoço e não poder experimentá-los é judiação, kkk. Parabéns.
Denise Browning says
kkkk Sinto muito, Ana querida! Quisera eu que os ingredientes estivessem disponíveis aí no Brasil. Mac and Cheese sempre foi um dos meus pratos americanos favoritos. Muito obrigada por sua visita. Bjs.
The Café Sucre Farine says
I could most definitely make a meal out of this, wow. what a combination!!!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Chris!
Little Cooking Tips says
Deeee-licious! Great casserole Denise! Thank you!
Denise Browning says
Thank you for stopping by, Little Cooking Tips!
Sugar et al says
Oh Wow! This looks stunning Denise! I could pin this a 100 times. And two of my favourites..mac and cheese and carbonara! You are amazing!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Sonali!
Dedy@Dentist Chef says
wow, i can smells the cheezy goodies when you pop it out from the oven........
nice photograph too!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Dedy!
Shema | LifeScoops says
Looks so rich and creamy....Our family loves mac and cheese... I love this fusion dish...I will try this out soon!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Shema! Enjoy!!!