Patrick Oconnell
Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese is a beloved comfort food with a unique twist. It features elbow macaroni mixed with a special cheese sauce, including a blend of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and Parmesan cheeses for a creamy texture and deep flavor. This dish is often baked to create a crispy top layer, resulting in a comforting meal with a touch of BBQ flair. The key to this recipe is its simplicity, using common ingredients to create a rich and creamy dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Side dish or main course |
| Texture | Creamy with a crispy top layer |
| Ingredients | Elbow macaroni, cheese sauce, sharp cheddar, cream, and a few other ingredients |
| Preparation | Baked |
| Recipe Origin | Inspired by Mission BBQ's dishes |
| Key Attributes | Simplicity, comfort, and BBQ flair |
| Cheese Sauce Ingredients | Cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, milk, butter, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper |
| Toppings | Breadcrumbs, extra cheese |
| Serving Tips | Let it rest before serving, serve with BBQ ribs, coleslaw, or cornbread |
Explore related products
$1.58
What You'll Learn
Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese recipe
Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Dijon mustard
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the macaroni. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, and keep whisking.
- Add the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let the mixture cook for a few minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted well.
- Pour the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, stirring to coat every piece of pasta with the creamy mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish and spread the breadcrumb topping over the surface.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Allow the mac and cheese to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips
- Use high-quality, sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor.
- Cook the macaroni al dente to avoid mushy pasta.
- Don't overcook the mac and cheese—bake it until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Add toppings like breadcrumbs or extra cheese to enhance flavor and texture.
- Let the dish rest and cool before serving to help improve the consistency.
- You can mix different cheeses like mozzarella, gouda, or mozzarella.
- Prepare the dish a day in advance and bake it before serving.
- Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to three months.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
- Serve with cooked bacon, pulled pork, or BBQ ribs for a delicious combination.
Mac & Cheese: Bacon Style
You may want to see also
Elbow macaroni
The use of elbow macaroni in this recipe is intentional as its shape and size complement the other ingredients and contribute to the overall texture and consistency of the dish. Elbow macaroni has a slightly curved shape that allows the cheese sauce to coat it evenly, ensuring each bite is flavourful and creamy. Its short length also makes it easy to eat and provides a satisfying bite-sized mouthfeel.
The recipe for Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese involves creating a cheese sauce by melting butter, adding flour to form a roux, and then gradually whisking in milk and cream. This sauce is seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper, enhancing the overall flavour profile.
Shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses are then stirred into the sauce until melted, creating a blend of cheeses that adds to the creaminess and depth of flavour. The cooked elbow macaroni is mixed with this cheese sauce, ensuring each piece of pasta is coated generously.
The dish is then baked to create a crispy top layer, adding a delightful texture and a golden brown colour. The simplicity of the recipe, using common ingredients, makes it a comforting and accessible meal. The key to its success lies in the combination of high-quality cheese, perfectly cooked al dente macaroni, and the addition of toppings like breadcrumbs or extra cheese for enhanced flavour and texture.
Overall, the use of elbow macaroni in Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese contributes to the dish's popularity, providing the perfect canvas for the creamy cheese sauce and delivering a comforting and indulgent eating experience.
Mac and Cheese: A Homogeneous Mixture?
You may want to see also
Cheese sauce
The cheese sauce is a key component of Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese, a rich and creamy dish with a unique twist on traditional macaroni and cheese. The sauce is what gives the dish its characteristic flavour and texture, coating the macaroni perfectly.
The cheese sauce is made with a blend of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, cojita, and parmesan, which combine to create a creamy texture and deep flavour. The sharpness of the cheddar adds a robust, cheesy flavour, while the creaminess of the sauce is enhanced by the use of milk, butter, and cream. To make the sauce, butter is melted in a large saucepan over medium heat, and flour is stirred in to form a roux. Milk and cream are then gradually whisked in until the mixture is smooth, and it is cooked until the sauce thickens. The shredded cheeses are added and stirred until melted, creating a silky smooth sauce.
The cheese sauce is then mixed with cooked elbow macaroni, which has been boiled until al dente, drained, and set aside. This ensures that the macaroni retains its shape and texture, providing a contrast to the creamy sauce. The macaroni and cheese can be seasoned with a variety of spices, including garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper, to enhance the flavour.
The dish can be further customised by adding toppings such as breadcrumbs or extra cheese, which add flavour and texture. It is often baked to create a crispy top layer, giving it a delightful crunchy texture and a golden brown colour. The simplicity of the recipe, using common ingredients, makes it a comforting and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish.
The love and care put into preparing the cheese sauce, along with the use of high-quality ingredients, are essential to the success of this dish. It evokes a sense of comfort and nostalgia, bringing people together and creating lasting memories. The cheese sauce, with its blend of cheeses and creamy texture, is the heart of Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese, making it a favourite among those who crave a hearty and indulgent meal.
Bojangles' Mac and Cheese: A Comforting Side Dish?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Baked to create a crispy top layer
The Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese recipe is a unique twist on the traditional mac and cheese. It is baked to create a crispy, crunchy, golden top layer that adds delightful texture and flavour to the dish. The recipe is inspired by the flavours found in Mission BBQ's dishes, combining comfort with a touch of BBQ flair.
To make the Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese, you'll need to start by boiling elbow macaroni until it's al dente, following the package instructions. Drain the macaroni and set it aside. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and stir in flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth, and then cook until the sauce thickens. Add shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese to the sauce, and stir until melted. Season the sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Now, mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well combined. Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. To create the crispy top layer, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
Finally, bake the dish in the oven at 375°F (190°C) until the top is golden brown. This baking step is what gives the Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese its signature crispy, crunchy texture and delightful golden colour. Enjoy it as a main course or a side dish alongside your favourite BBQ treats!
Macaroni and Cheese: The Perfect Block Ratio
You may want to see also
Inspired by Mission BBQ dishes
Mission BBQ is an American restaurant that was founded in September 2011 by two friends, Bill Kraus and Steve Newton, who shared a deep passion for barbecue. The restaurant combines their love for authentic American barbecue with a heartfelt mission, building a restaurant that stands for patriotism. The restaurant's vision is not only to serve great food but also to create a way to support everyday heroes, including the military, first responders, firefighters, and police.
The menu at Mission BBQ is inspired by the regional barbecue styles across the United States. The restaurant uses white oak wood to smoke their barbecue, providing a mild, well-balanced smoke. From brisket and baby back ribs to homemade sauces, each bite is a delightful, authentic, smoky, and perfectly seasoned barbecue experience.
Some of the popular items on the menu include the pulled chicken sandwich, ribs, turkey, and brisket. They also offer a variety of sides, such as creamy and cheesy mac n' cheese, and desserts like a soft, velvety cake with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a generous dollop of rich, creamy cream cheese icing.
The restaurant is adorned with treasured mementos that have been personally shared with them by America's finest and their families. These mementos are a source of pride for both the families and the restaurant. Mission BBQ is a place where people can come together to enjoy delicious food and honor those who serve our country and communities.
Mac and Cheese: Soul Food or Comfort Food?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mission BBQ Mac and Cheese is a rich, creamy dish with a unique twist. It features elbow macaroni mixed with a special cheese sauce.
The key to this recipe is its simplicity. It uses common ingredients that come together to create a comforting meal.
The cheese sauce is made with sharp cheddar, cream, and a few other ingredients to enhance the flavor. You can also mix in other cheeses like mozzarella, gouda, or parmesan.
First, set the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch dish. Boil elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth, then add shredded cheese and stir until melted. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Mix cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, and parmesan, and sprinkle over the mac and cheese.
Use high-quality cheese, cook the macaroni al dente, don't overcook, add toppings like breadcrumbs or extra cheese, and let it rest before serving.
