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Bright Green Recipes

Tried & True Recipes to Inspire!

Gourmet Gruyere Macaroni and Cheese

May 9, 2016 By BrightGreenDoor

Gourmet Macaroni with Panko CrustReally good macaroni and cheese is definitely my comfort food of choice. The kind you get at a really good restaurant, with high end cheeses. Sometimes with lobster or crab in it. Or at least with some shape of pasta that you’ve never seen at the grocery store. Because going out for fancy macaroni and cheese isn’t always in the cards, I decided to try and replicate it at home. Because I don’t usually have fancy seafood around, I decided to use bacon, which is practically as good right? I did splurge for the good cheese though! I hope you love this gourmet gruyere macaroni and cheese as much as I do! Maybe it will satisfy your “fancy macaroni” craving… because everybody gets those, right?!?
Gourmet Bacon Macaroni RecipeTypically I go for simple meals that don’t involve a lot of dishes. This is NOT one of those! It involves some prep and some dishes, but it’s worth it. I promise!
Macaroni and Cheese with Breadcrumbs

I think what really puts this recipe over the top is the buttered panko crumbs on top. It adds the perfect crunch to the otherwise creaminess of this dish.
Gourmet Macaroni with Breadcrumbs

You can make it with any type of pasta, but this time I bought cavatappi, because I liked it’s shape! Gruyere Macaroni and Cheese-008

I should note that this recipe either makes one REALLY big pan of macaroni, or two medium sized dishes. Typically I cook one for dinner and freeze the other to cook later. It freezes and reheats really well.Best Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

It also makes REALLY good leftovers. and I don’t even like leftovers! (but I promise these ones are the best)Gruyere and Parmesan Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe can be served as a side or an entree, but goes really good with anything. Tonight it’s going with a salad… because if you read the ingredients you know there’s enough calories in it for the whole meal.
Bacon and Parmesan Macaroni and Cheese

 

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Gourmet Gruyere Macaroni and Cheese

  • Author: Jess McGurn *BrightGreenDoor*
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large pan 1x
Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 T chicken stock
  • 1 box pasta (cavatappi, macaroni, or shells)
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 Stick butter
  • 1 small red onion — minced and sauteed in 2 T. butter
  • 1 tsp of minced garlic- sauteed with onion
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 c. milk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco (more if you prefer a spicy kick)
  • 2 1/4 cups fresh grated Gruyere cheese
  • 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1 pkg bacon- cooked and chopped
  • 1 1/2 c. Panko

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in water with 1T. chicken stock. Drain and toss cooked pasta with Olive Oil and lemon juice.
  2. Saute onion and garlic in 2 T. butter, set aside.
  3. Melt 3 tablespoons butter and 1 T chicken stock in skillet over medium heat. Add Panko and Cook until golden.
  4. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly for 3 minutes.
  5. Gradually whisk in heavy cream, milk, and sour cream.
  6. Stir in sautéed onion and garlic mixture, sugar and Tabasco, simmer gently, stirring often, 15 minutes.
  7. Stir in 2 cups of gruyere and parmesan cheese.
  8. Season to taste with pepper.
  9. Stir sauce into macaroni and add bacon pieces. Pour mixture into greased, deep baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture.
  10. Sprinkle buttered panko and over the top of the macaroni.
  11. Bake at 350: F about 25-30 minutes.

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Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese

Whether you’re trying to satisfy your “fancy macaroni” craving, you want to impress your husband with a special meal, or you want to bring the side dish that will be raved about for years, this dish is the one. I hope you love it as much as we do! I shared this recipe as part of a linkup where 35 other bloggers shared a favorite pasta recipe. If you’re looking for inspiration I know that you’ll find it here!

Amazing Pasta RecipesGourmet Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

An InLinkz Link-up


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Comments

  1. Kim Six says

    May 11, 2016 at 6:43 am

    When you think mac is cheese is already perfect, you go and add bacon! Yum!

  2. Terri Steffes says

    May 11, 2016 at 7:10 am

    This sounds like one my husband makes! Delicious!

  3. pestep81 says

    May 11, 2016 at 10:55 am

    Oh my this looks heavenly. Comfort and crunch all rolled up in one. Can’t wait to try it!

  4. mylifecookbook says

    May 11, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    Fancy mac n cheese and bacon….seriously you can’t go wrong. I’ve tried to make mac n cheese from scratch and my son never likes it….so this one is for me. Looks delicious!

  5. maria @ close to home says

    May 11, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    What a great and sophisticated way to serve up a favorite.

  6. Jeannie says

    May 11, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    I agree that the Panko crumbs elevate the recipe

  7. Bluwatergal says

    May 11, 2016 at 8:23 pm

    You had me at bacon 🙂 and I LOVE mac and cheese! Bwg ~~~

  8. Kim Seghers says

    May 13, 2016 at 8:26 am

    Your macaroni and cheese dish looks delicious. And, your pictures are gorgeous.

    • BrightGreenDoor says

      May 17, 2016 at 9:33 am

      Aw thank you. I took an online course called “Shoot fly Shoot” which really helped my photography. It’s been a long learning curve!

  9. Jami @ An Oregon Cottage says

    May 13, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    Oh, wow, this looks fabulous – we may never go back to regular mac & cheese again!

    • BrightGreenDoor says

      May 17, 2016 at 9:32 am

      Nope, you just won’t be able to go back! I promise!

  10. Whitney Shortt says

    May 15, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    Mac and cheese is my absolute fave and this one sounds delicious!

    • BrightGreenDoor says

      May 17, 2016 at 9:30 am

      Mine too! Thanks!

    • BrightGreenDoor says

      May 17, 2016 at 9:59 am

      My fave too! Thank you so much!

  11. Mary Beth says

    May 17, 2016 at 8:24 am

    Good heavens this looks and sounds amazing!

    • BrightGreenDoor says

      May 17, 2016 at 9:45 am

      Yeah it’s as good as it looks! Thanks!

  12. Teri@The Freshman Cook says

    May 17, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    Oh goodness! This is an awesome recipe!

    • BrightGreenDoor says

      May 18, 2016 at 7:01 am

      Yes! Glad you love it!

  13. Rene says

    February 14, 2017 at 7:06 pm

    Made this tonight,wow! Totally gonna make it more and play with the cheeses. I think a smoked gouda might be killer with this.

    • BrightGreenDoor says

      February 17, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      I LOVE Gouda! It would be great with Gouda! Glad you enjoyed it, it’s one of my faves!

Hi, I’m Jess!

I'm a creator & a finder, a maker and a "try to do it all at once-er". I love homes and food and this is where I share all my best recipes. Thanks for stopping by, now don't be a stranger! Let's Connect!

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