Mac Cheese With Root Vegetables Pancetta Recipes

PAUL'S CRAFTY MAC N CHEESE WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook ziti until al dente. Strain and rinse in cool water. In a saute pan over medium-high heat, cook pancetta until it is crispy and the fat has rendered. In the same pan, add all of the cheeses and the cream and whisk until blended. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Slowly add the cooked ziti to the cheese mixture, stirring gently. Transfer the ziti and cheese mixture to a large baking dish or cast iron skillet. Top off with more cheese and bake for 24 to 30 minutes.

MAC 'N' CHEESE WITH ROASTED JALAPEñOS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until slightly less than al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
• Meanwhile, heat the milk and half-and-half in a small saucepan until it almost simmers. Keep warm.
• Place the pancetta in a medium skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until crispy, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, leaving the fat in the skillet.
• Keep about 2 tablespoons of the pancetta fat in the skillet (pour off any extra) and return the skillet to medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook, whisking frequently, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the warm milk mixture. Continue cooking, whisking frequently and lowering the heat if necessary so it doesn't scorch on the bottom, until the sauce is simmering and thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the Cheddar, fontina and pecorino. Fold in the cream cheese and continue stirring until the cheeses melt. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the roasted jalapeños.
• Stir the cheese sauce into the pot with the drained pasta. Transfer to a 2-quart baking dish or individual ovenproof serving dishes (such as ramekins, French onion soup bowls or mini pie pans). Sprinkle with the pancetta and bake until browned on top and bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.