When creating this recipe I added a few unusual ingredients because I love adding just a bit more excitement to food. The liquid smoke flavor, Dijon mustard, onion powder and garlic powder blend in so well you hardly know they are there. They just enhance the dish, not overpower it. I love the combination of Cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese, they are my two favorite cheeses so of course they had to be the two cheeses I used to make this recipe. They both melt so smoothly to create a perfectly silky, decadent macaroni and cheese. Enjoy!
15 Minute Stove Top Mac and Cheese
Yields about 4 servings
Ingredients:
8 oz. elbow macaroni noodles
3/4 cup milk (I'd recommend 1% or 2%, whole was too rich)
1 Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp garlic powder
6 drops hickory smoke flavor, such as Liquid Smoke
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (or 1 tsp if you like more mustard flavor)
1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
2 large egg yolks
1/2 cup evaporated milk
4 oz. Medium or Sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
3 oz. Monterrey Jack cheese, grated
Freshly cracked black pepper or cayenne, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Cook pasta according to directions listed on package until cooked through (just past al dente), and drain.
Meanwhile (in order to make this a 15 minute recipe I made the sauce as the noodles were cooking), in a medium saucepan combine 1% milk, butter, onion powder, garlic powder, liquid smoke, Dijon mustard and salt then scald mixture over medium heat. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks with 1/2 cup evaporated milk. Add 1/4 cup scalded milk mixture to egg yolk mixture and whisk, then pour and whisk mixture into saucepan. Cook mixture over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon, about 3 minutes. Add cheese and drained pasta to sauce mixture and gently toss mixture with a rubber spatula until cheese has melted. Serve immediately sprinkled with optional black pepper or cayenne pepper.
Recipe Source: Cooking Classy
