Southern comfort recipes: Macaroni and cheese

Why would anyone change traditional macaroni and cheese; it’s perfect, right? We won’t argue there, but it’s also the perfect base to sneak in a little sophistication when the occasion calls.

Dry white wine and creamy goat cheese add freshness and tang to traditional macaroni and cheese, while just-picked basil and cherry tomatoes (hydroponically grown in the winter) bring a sweet balance.

Macaroni and cheese with goat cheese and white wine recipe

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 pound elbow or ziti macaroni
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 cups of chicken broth or stock
• 1/2 cup goat cheese
• 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 7 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
• 10 cherry tomatoes, diced

Directions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to boil for the macaroni. When the water boils, add the macaroni and cook for seven minutes, or per package directions.
2. As the water is coming to a boil, add the olive oil to a medium saucepan on medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the garlic. Add the butter, adjusting the heat to prevent the butter from burning. When butter is melted, add the flour and stir – this will create a paste (a roux) that will thicken the cheese sauce. Cook the paste for about one minute, stirring to prevent it from turning brown or burning.
3. Add the wine and stir – this will loosen and thin the roux. Slowly add chicken stock a little at a time, stirring to incorporate thinning the roux and turning it into a sauce. The consistency of the sauce should be like a thick gravy.
4. Add the goat cheese and stir until melted. Add the Gruyere and Parmesan and stir until melted.
5. Add the cream and nutmeg. Taste for salt and pepper and add as needed. If the cheese sauce is too thick, thin out with more wine or chicken stock.
6. Drain the macaroni well, and add to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat the macaroni. Add the tomatoes and basil; stir to incorporate. Serve immediately.

More macaroni and cheese recipes

Gluten-free macaroni and cheese
Baked pumpkin mac and cheese
Bacon chicken mac and cheese