Pesto Mac and Cheese
This Pesto Mac and Cheese is an incredibly addictive pasta recipe that’s easy enough to whip up on a weeknight, but special enough to serve to company. It’s so full of flavor and a great twist on the classic comfort dish. This is one recipe we find ourselves craving over and over because it’s such a unique and delicious sauce – cheesy, garlicky, and herby. Yum!
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To really kick this recipe up a notch, you can make your pesto sauce from scratch with this simple recipe. It’s such an easy way to add a ton more flavor to this simple dish, and it’s so incredibly easy to make.
Pesto Mac and Cheese Recipe Tips:
+ If you want to add a little protein to this dish, throw in some pancetta, bacon, or grilled chicken. You could also toss in a few broccoli crowns or some spinach to add some veggies to this dish.
+ If you like spice, add a few dashes of red chili flakes to add some heat to this recipe!
+ We love using a ball whisk to whip up sauces like this. It’s a great tool to make sure your ingredients are fully incorporated without making a big mess.
Pesto Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp salted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup pesto sauce
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar, grated
- 4 oz Gruyere cheese, grated
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dente in salted water according to package directions. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large deep skillet over medium heat and add the butter.
- Once melted, add the flour and whisk for about 1 minute.
- Whisk in the milk and pesto. Continue to whisk for about 3-5 minutes or until thickened. The mixture should coat the back of a spoon.
- Turn the heat off and add a handful of cheese at a time, whisking it in until completely combined until adding another handful.
- Once the cheese is fully whisked into the sauce, pour the pasta into the sauce along with a splash of pasta water. Mix until everything is completely incorporated. If the sauce is too thick, add another splash of pasta water.
- Plate up and enjoy!
