Last night I made an experimental macaroni and cheese that I just have to share with you. This recipe’s creation was based on what I had available. The adage ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ seems to apply here and I believe this scenario happens to everyone that cooks at some point. The key element here is the cheese sauce. I substituted sour cream and water for the milk and used creamy havarti and fontina cheeses. For seasonings, I added herbs de provence along with ground mustard and white pepper. This combination produced a creamy, slightly sour, slightly nutty and subtly herbal cheese sauce – unique and delicious. Topped with browned panko crumbs and baked until bubbly, this is a macaroni and cheese you didn’t know you wanted… until now!
- 4 oz macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter, divided
- 4 tsp flour
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup water
- 3 oz creamy havarti, cubed
- 3 oz fontina, cubed
- 1 oz shredded mozzarella
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- ¼ tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp herbs de provence
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Prepare the macaroni per the package instructions to an al dente consistency.
- In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, water, white pepper, mustard, and herbs de provence.
- In a sauce pan, heat the butter over Medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk until combined to create a roux.
- Cook the roux until a light tan.
- Add the sour cream mixture and cook until slightly thickened.
- Add the cheeses and stir to melt and combine.
- Reduce heat to Medium-Low and add the cooked macaroni, stirring to combine.
- Spray a small baking dish with canola oil.
- Spoon/pour the macaroni and cheese into the baking dish.
- In a small suate pan, melt the remaining butter over Medium heat.
- Add the panko crumbs and stir gently to combine with the butter.
- Brown the crumbs before spreading over top of the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
- Let cool for 5 – 10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
If you like the recipe or have made the dish, please let me know your thoughts!