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Macaroni & Cheese w/ Cheddar, Cream Cheese, & Walnuts, Esmérelda

Macaroni & Cheese w/ Cheddar, Cream Cheese, & Walnuts

This Cream Cheese Macaroni & Cheese consists of butter, all-purpose flour, Worcestershire sauce, cream cheese, cheddar, and walnuts.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Large Baking Dish
  • Oven
  • Large Pot
  • Skillet
  • Stovetop

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lbs. macaroni (I used jumbo fusilli)
  • 1/4 c. butter
  • 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. allspice
  • 1/2 tsp. cloves
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. mustard
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1½ c. cream cheese (or milk, or Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 c. pasta water (or dry white wine)
  • 2 c. cheddar grated
  • 1 c. walnuts crushed

Instructions
 

Cook Pasta

  • Add about 4 inches of water to a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Cook pasta according to the manufacturer's instructions. This typically entails boiling for about 8-12 minutes, or until barely al dente.
  • The pasta will cook another half hour in the oven, so make sure not to overcook them during this stage!
  • Remove the pasta from the water and set aside.
  • You may want to stir it occasionally to keep the noodles from sticking together.

Prepare Roux

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a large baking dish with olive oil and set aside.
  • Preheat saucepan on medium-heat. Add 1/4 cup butter and melt.
  • Immediately when the butter melts, add flour and stir constantly until incorporated. This should take about 3 minutes.
    Do NOT brown or overcook, though. You just want the butter and flour to incorporate until you add the spices.
  • Add spices and Worcestershire sauce. Stir constantly for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned.
  • Add cream cheese, a little at a time, and stir constantly until incorporated after each addition. Adding too much at once can cause the roux to separate. Although this is less of an issue with yogurt as it is milk or cream, it is still something to watch out for!
  • Meanwhile, grate the cheese and add to roux 1/2 cup at a time. Mix constantly until fully incorporated.
  • Thin the sauce with 1/2 cup pasta water (or dry white wine).
  • Add noodles and stir until fully coated in the cheese sauce.

Bake Macaroni and Cheese

  • Pour macaroni and cheese into greased baking dish.
  • Add crushed nuts.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top begins to brown.
  • Let cool slightly and cut into 2-inch squares. Serve immediately.

Tips, Tricks, & Notes

  • You can add a dusting of brown sugar or bread crumbs on top of the nuts, for a crunch on top.