How to Make Cowgirl Creamery Mac n’ Cheese

This Mac n’ Cheese is not for the faint of heart, or those lactose intolerant. If you are used to making a traditional craft mac n’ cheese, then prepare to have your mind blown. This uses Cowgirl Creamery’s Wagon Wheel cheese, as well as a white cheddar for a little kick. Again, this turns out amazing, but is a little fatty to put it lightly.

Also this make an insane size portion. So I hope you are cooking for a huge family or a dinner party, or if you want leftovers for a few days like me, or you can half the recipe. In the recipe, they also used Rotelle (I call them wagon wheels), I used a whole wheat penne instead.

Ingredients –

• Salt – 1tbsp
• Penne Pasta – 1lb (one package)
• Unsalted butter – 6 tbsp
• All purpose flour – 1/2 cup
• Whole milk – room temp – 4 cups
• Coarsely shredded Wagon Wheel cheese – 1lb
• Coarsely shredded White Cheddar – 8oz
• Bacon – 5 strips, diced and fried
• Pepper – 1/2 tsp
• Finely groud nutmeg – 1/2 tsp
• Mustard powder – 1/2 tsp
• Fresh bread crumbs – around 1 cup, for topping
• Heirloom tomato – I bought one big one since that was all I could find

Tools –

• A few pans and bowls for the cheese

Step 1 – Slightly Cook the Pasta and Bacon

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. I used whole wheat penne for this recipe, and the cook time is typically 11-13 minutes, so I cook this for about 8 minutes then drained it.

Around the same time, slice the bacon into think slices, cook and then set aside.

If making homemade breadcrumbs, make these now as well. Cut bread into fine pieces, bake at 400 until golden brown.

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Step 2 – Start making the base of the Mac

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

In a large heavy sauce pan, over medium heat, melt the butter. When the butter is melted and fragrant, whisk in the flour to form a smooth paste. Cook until it turns golden brown, 2-3 minutes. While whisking, start pouring in the milk, whisk over medium heat until the mixture thickens and bubbles, another 3-5 minutes. Turn the heat off.

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Step 3 – Cheese and Bake

Stir in both cheeses, the bacon, pepper, nutmeg, and mustard powder. Add the cooked pasta, mix well, but gently.

I already had my mixture in an oven ready dish. If you do not, transfer to the cheese mixture to one.

Bake uncovered, until the top is golden brown and bubbling on the edges, 30-35 minutes. Let the dish cool for about 10 minutes and then serve!

Enjoy, let me know what you think in the comments below.

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And for the ratings –

• Difficulty of ingredients to find – 4/5 stars – if you are actually going to use the cowgirl creamery ingredients. Also a little bit expensive
• Perceived difficulty going into the recipe – 2/5 stars – it’s Mac n Cheese after all…
• Difficulty after recipe – 2/5 stars – it’s still Mac n Cheese after all
• Time taken – 3/5 stars – less than 2 hours total
• Taste – 3/5 stars – it was good, but not a standout. It’s also stupidly heavy
• Make again? 2/5 stars – Probably not unless someone asked me to