Flemings Steak House Chipotle Macaroni And Cheese Recipe 2

Mac and cheese, but make it smoky and spicy? Yes, please! This irresistible twist on the classic comfort food is my go-to for impressing friends at potlucks or just treating myself to a bowl of heaven after a long day.

The richness of heavy cream and the smoky flavor of smoked cheddar are a match made in heaven, and together they create a sinfully creamy smoked mac and cheese. Add to that a can of chipotles in adobo, and you’ve got yourself a dish a million miles away from your typical mac and cheese.

This one smolders.

Flemings Steak House Chipotle Macaroni And Cheese Recipe 2 Ingredients

• Elbow Macaroni: Provides carbohydrates, acts as the base of the dish.
• Smoked Cheddar Cheese: Adds a rich, smoky flavor and protein.
• Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and a subtle tang.
• Chipotles in Adobo Sauce: Provides heat and a smoky depth.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: Adds crunch and texture to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Healthy fat, used to crisp breadcrumbs.

Flemings Steak House Chipotle Macaroni And Cheese Recipe 2 Ingredient Quantities

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 8 ounces smoked cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons canned chipotles in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

How to Make this Flemings Steak House Chipotle Macaroni And Cheese Recipe 2

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you prepare the main component of the dish. Take a very large pot and fill it with a copious amount of water, practically going to boil, and add a good amount of salt. Macaroni is not a fancy food, yet as Seasalt & Thyme attests, it is pretty incredible when done right. And there is no greator or simpler way to doing right by something as simple as elbow pasta than with this method. Cook the macaroni in the same boiling, salted water, just like you would a more respectable noodle or a fancy piece of pasta.

2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for about 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.

3. Slowly incorporate the heavy cream and whole milk by whisking them in. Cook and whisk until the mixture thickens and begins to simmer.

4. Lower the heat to the lowest setting. Add the grated smoked cheddar cheese and the softened cream cheese to the pan. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

5. Combine the chipotles in adobo sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper with the mixture. Until completely incorporated, mix all ingredients.

6. Incorporate the cheese sauce into the boiled macaroni, stirring the sauce into the pasta until the macaroni is uniformly coated.

7. Place the macaroni and cheese in a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

8. In a small bowl, mix together the panko bread crumbs and olive oil. Spread this mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

9. Cook in the oven that has already been heated to the necessary temperature for 20 to 25 minutes. You will know it is done when the topping made of panko bread crumbs is a nice golden brown and the cheese has started to bubble.

10. Take the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for several minutes. If you wish, add a garnish of freshly chopped cilantro to the dish before you serve it.

Flemings Steak House Chipotle Macaroni And Cheese Recipe 2 Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Large pot
3. Medium saucepan
4. Whisk
5. Stirring spoon
6. Measuring spoons
7. Measuring cups
8. Cheese grater
9. Baking dish
10. Small mixing bowl

FAQ

• What type of cheese is best for this recipe?Smoked cheddar cheese is used in the recipe to give it a rich, smoky flavor that is paired with cream cheese for a creamy taste.
• Can I use a different type of pasta?Absolutely; even though elbow macaroni is the traditional option, you could easily substitute it with any short pasta, such as cavatappi or penne.
• How can I make the dish less spicy?Use less of the chipotles in adobo sauce or just the sauce, without the chopped chipotles, for less heat.
• What can I use instead of panko bread crumbs?Substitutes for Panko

  Regular bread crumbs or crushed Ritz crackers

  Panko is a light, flaky, Japanese-style breadcrumb that adds crunch to any dish. Depending on the dish, it can be difficult to find an appropriate substitute that adds the same lightness and texture that panko lends. Here are a few substitutes that can stand in for panko in a pinch.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?Certainly, you can make the cheese sauce and cook the pasta ahead of time. Then, mix the two just before they go into the oven.
• What should I do if the sauce is too thick?Add a little more milk or cream to the sauce if it is too thick.
• How can I add more flavor to the topping?Before sprinkling over the macaroni and cheese, mix the panko with graded Parmesan cheese or a pinch of garlic powder.

Flemings Steak House Chipotle Macaroni And Cheese Recipe 2 Substitutions and Variations

Use cavatappi or penne pasta, not elbow macaroni.
Replace unsalted butter with salted butter, but change the salt in the recipe to keep the desired flavor.
Cornstarch can be used instead of all-purpose flour if you want to make this a gluten-free version.
Replace smoked cheddar cheese with smoked gouda or regular cheddar cheese.
Replace cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and a lighter texture.
Swap canned chipotles in adobo sauce for smoked paprika when you want less heat.

Pro Tips

1. Toast the Panko Before mixing the panko bread crumbs with olive oil, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are golden brown. This will give your dish an extra layer of crunch and a deeper flavor.

2. Enhance the Cheese Flavor For an even more pronounced smoky flavor, consider adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the cheese sauce or substituting part of the smoked cheddar with another smoky cheese, such as smoked gouda.

3. Adjusting Spiciness If you’d like to control the heat level, start with just one tablespoon of chipotles in adobo sauce and adjust according to taste. You can also scrape out the seeds from the chipotles before chopping to reduce spiciness.

4. Use Pasta Water Reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the macaroni. If the cheese sauce is too thick, you can use a splash of pasta water to adjust the consistency while still keeping the sauce creamy.

5. Rest Before Serving After baking, let the macaroni and cheese sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the cheese sauce to thicken slightly, making it easier to serve and enhancing the flavors.