Frederic Melton
Macaroni and cheese is a versatile dish that can be customised with various meats to elevate the classic comfort food. While it is usually a vegetarian dish, adding meat turns it into a hearty, satisfying meal. Popular meat options include ground beef, bacon, pepperoni, and steak, but other options like ham, pork, chicken, and even seafood can be used. The meat is typically cooked with onions and seasonings, then combined with the macaroni, cheese sauce, and sometimes vegetables, creating a creamy, cheesy, and meaty delight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef, bacon, pepperoni, steak, chicken, ham, pork, turkey, black pudding, meatloaf |
| Cheese | Cheddar, extra sharp cheddar |
| Other ingredients | Elbow macaroni, flour, butter, cayenne pepper, egg, paprika, onion, tomato sauce, sour cream, parsley, garlic, steak seasoning, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs |
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What You'll Learn
Ground beef, bacon and pepperoni
Ground Beef, Bacon, and Pepperoni
A hearty option for macaroni and cheese is to include ground beef, bacon, and pepperoni. This combination promises a rich, savoury flavour and a satisfying texture.
Ground Beef
For ground beef, you'll want to use a lean variety, such as 90/10. If you opt for a lower ratio, you'll need to drain off the grease after browning the meat. Break up the beef into small pieces as it cooks. You can also substitute ground beef with ground chicken, turkey, or venison.
Bacon
Bacon adds a smoky flavour to the mac and cheese. Cut the bacon into small squares and cook until crispy. You can use the bacon fat to make a sauce, mixing it with flour, milk, and water. Alternatively, you can use melted butter instead of bacon fat.
Pepperoni
Pepperoni slices add a distinct, familiar pizza flavour to the dish. Chop the pepperoni and stir them into the noodles, and sprinkle some on top before baking. This will create pepperoni cups that hold the sauce.
Cheese
For the cheese sauce, a medium or sharp cheddar is recommended as it melts well and has a nice colour. Avoid extra sharp aged cheeses as these tend to separate or get oily when heated. Grate the cheese yourself for the best flavour and texture.
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Steak
Macaroni and cheese is a versatile dish that can be made more indulgent and hearty with the addition of meat. While there are several options for meats to add to macaroni and cheese, this response will focus on steak as the star ingredient.
To make steak mac and cheese, start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside, tossing it with a little oil to prevent sticking. For the steak, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Continue heating the butter until it barely browns, adding more flavour. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the steak pieces, without stirring or shaking the pan for 30-45 seconds. Then, flip the steak pieces and cook for another minute or two, depending on your desired level of doneness. Remove the steak from the heat and keep it warm.
For the sauce, melt butter over medium heat and add garlic and parsley, sautéing for about a minute. Be careful not to burn or brown the garlic. Add flour and salt to the mixture and sauté for another minute or two. Slowly whisk in milk to create a creamy sauce. Finally, combine the pasta, steak, and sauce, stirring until everything is coated in the delicious sauce.
This steak mac and cheese is best served with a glass of red wine, such as a smooth and velvety Malbec. The bold flavours of the dish pair perfectly with the wine, creating an elegant and indulgent dining experience.
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Ham
There are many ways to make macaroni and cheese with ham, and the recipe can be adapted to suit your tastes. For example, you can use different types of pasta, such as elbow macaroni, shells, rotini, farfalle, or penne. It is best not to use spaghetti, as a shorter pasta works better with the sauce.
You can also experiment with different types of cheese. Cheddar is a popular choice, but you could also use Gruyere, Gouda, Havarti, or a mixture of your favourites. Freshly shredded cheese is recommended over pre-grated cheese. In addition to cheese, milk and flour are also standard ingredients in the sauce. Some recipes also include eggs as a binding ingredient.
To make the dish even more flavourful, you can add spices such as nutmeg, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also add vegetables such as peas, spinach, or broccoli.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Boil the pasta for half the time stated on the package. Drain and set aside.
- Grate your chosen cheese and reserve one cup for topping.
- Add the pasta to the cheese and mix.
- Add the ham and mix.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, onion powder, mustard powder, and salt.
- Whisk in eggs, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
- Place the pasta in a baking dish and pour the mixture over it.
- Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake until hot.
This recipe can be adapted to your taste, and you can add more spices or vegetables if desired.
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Chicken
The cheese sauce for chicken mac and cheese can be made with mozzarella, cheddar, and/or gorgonzola, along with milk, dried mustard, and flour. The sauce is made by creating a roux with flour and butter, and then adding milk and cheese. The cheese sauce can be made stretchy and sharp by adding mozzarella and cheddar, or creamy and spicy by adding gorgonzola and cayenne pepper.
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Black pudding
When it comes to macaroni and cheese, black pudding can be a delicious and unexpected addition. It adds a savoury depth of flavour and a unique texture to the dish. Here is a recipe for black pudding macaroni and cheese that serves four to six people:
Ingredients:
- 70g butter
- 70g plain flour
- 200ml milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
- 20g creme fraiche
- 200g macaroni
- 100g cheddar or strong cheese, grated
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely sliced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 100g black pudding, cut into small rough cubes
- Oil for frying
- 50g parmesan, grated
- 50g breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan) or 190°C (normal).
- In a pan, fry the garlic and onion in oil on low heat until soft and glossy. Then, add the black pudding and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Make the roux sauce by melting butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and stir continuously. Cook the flour for at least 5 minutes on low heat.
- Take the pan off the heat and gradually add milk while stirring. Put it back on the heat and continue stirring until the mixture thickens.
- Add the dijon mustard and grated cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce thickens. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small amount of milk to loosen it.
- Add the creme fraiche and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- In a separate pot, cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a baking or cast iron dish, layer the black pudding mixture at the bottom. Pour the macaroni and cheese sauce over it.
- Top with breadcrumbs and parmesan.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
This recipe adds a unique twist to the classic macaroni and cheese, incorporating the savoury flavours of black pudding. It is a hearty and comforting dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many meat options to add to macaroni and cheese, including ground beef, bacon, pepperoni, steak, chicken, ham, pork, turkey, and black pudding.
Here is a recipe for macaroni and cheese with ground beef:
- Cook the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the tomato sauce, sour cream, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and steak seasoning to the pan.
- Stir to combine and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the pan and stir to combine.
- Add the shredded cheese to the pan and stir until melted.
- Do a final taste test and add more seasoning if needed.
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for macaroni and cheese with meat, but other options include extra sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or a combination of cheeses.
Yes, here are a few additional tips:
- Cook the macaroni al dente so that it doesn't get too soft.
- Sauté the meat until crispy before adding it to the macaroni and cheese.
- Add vegetables to the macaroni and cheese, such as broccoli, butternut squash, or spinach.
