Does anyone else feel like fall = comfort food? I don’t know of a more widely popular comfort food than homemade macaroni and cheese. Pasta, cheese, and a house full of tantalizing smells as it cooks. Be forewarned though, with Bleu and sharp white Cheddar cheeses, this is a grownup-friendly mac and cheese (sorry kiddies!). My grown-up Bleu Cheese Mac will be sent to Natasha of 5 Star Foodie for her 5 Star Makeover: Macaroni and Cheese!
Bleu Cheese Mac
(Yield: about 8 servings)
¾ to 1 pound whole grain rotini pasta (or any small pasta shape you like)
4 TB plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 medium-large zucchini, thinly sliced
2 ½ TB all-purpose flour
2 c low-fat milk
3 oz Gruyère, Emmental, or Swiss cheese, shredded
4 oz sharp white Cheddar, shredded
1 oz Bleu cheese, crumbled
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon dry mustard powder
Pinch salt and pepper
¼ c Italian-style dry breadcrumbs
1 TB minced fresh parsley
Butter (to grease the casserole dish)
Preheat the oven to 400F. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Sauté the onion in 2 TB oil over medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes until it’s caramelized; turn the heat up to high, add the zucchini, and cook another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
For the topping, combine the breadcrumbs, parsley, and 1 teaspoon oil and set aside for now.
For the cheese sauce, cook 2 TB oil with 2 ½ TB flour until it starts to bubble. Gradually add the milk, bring the sauce up to a boil, then turn off the heat. Into the milk sauce, whisk the Gruyère, Cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and salt and pepper. Combine the onion/zucchini mixture, pasta, and cheese sauce, then stir in the crumbled Bleu cheese. Pour into a buttered casserole dish, top with the breadcrumb mixture, and bake for about 15 minutes until it bubbles at the sides and is lightly browned on top. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Muneeba says
Ohmanohmanohmanohman ... love adding blue cheese to pasta ... and this version has everything I love! Gawd, I'm salivating at 8 in the morning!
Michael [KyotoFoodie] says
This looks totally and overwhelmingly yummy!
Sabrina Shales says
Im studying Food technology and we have been making this but changing it to suit our 8 a day. I love this idea but isnt it changing to not be the classic macaroni and cheese?
admin says
Sabrina Shales, You're right, this isn't a classic mac and cheese at all! The bleu cheese and zucchini provide a whole other taste experience. Hope you like it! :)
Chaya says
This looks to me to be an improvement on good ole mac and cheese. This is gourmet mac and cheese and these cheese are an improvement.
Sorry I could not get a yogurt recipe in. It has been our holy days and I have not on the Net for a few days. With a half hour to go, I don't think I can pull it off. I was looking forward to this. My loss.
Natalie says
This looks so amazing. I love mac and cheese, and I love blue cheese. I will def have to try this one! thanks for sharing.
natalie
oneshotbeyond says
I am a fan of all things pasta, all things cheesy, all things with blue cheese! WOW. Saving-now. Thanks
Dawn says
I'm not a huge mac n cheese fan but this looks absolutely delicious!
SpinDiva says
this looks delicious... we love mac and cheese and yes, to me, fall=comfort food. YUM!
Reeni says
That is why I'm so happy that fall is fast approaching. Bring on the comfort foods! This looks wonderful - love the choice of cheeses!
Krista says
Mmmm....first bleu cheese on fish...now in Mac! Yum! and I like how you snuck the veg in there.
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
I love the idea of mac & cheese with bleu cheese, fabulous!
nora@ffr says
love the idea!! this is great!!! loove mac and cheese soo soo much!1 hehe
Chiara says
Ah, I love fall food. I can't wait for the fall to get here so I can make some mac n cheese! I love the blue cheese idea... yum!
Figtreeapps says
I just came home from work and Im starving...I wish someone would whip up a batch of this for me it looks soooooooooooooo good. Figtreeapps
Blond Duck says
I love mac and cheese in all forms.
chriesi says
Mmm sounds very delicious! Great idea!
theUngourmet says
It's so funny, I planned on Mac and Cheese this week too! I've seen 2 recipes over the last couple of days. It must be the time of year for it, huh!
I love your rich and yummy twist! :P
Holly says
caramelized onions might be one of my favorite things of all-time! they look SOOOO good!
Karyn Bernard (French Charming) says
Yippee, Mac & Cheese for grown ups! This sounds divine!! Your photos are gorgeous as usual. Hope your week is off to a fabulous start!
Hugs,
Karyn
Heavenly Housewife says
Mac and cheese is awesome fall comfort food. I love your take on it, looks delicious!