Buffalo Mac & Cheese

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Ree Drummond

Buffalo Mac & Cheese

Ingredients
  

  • Kosher salt, for the pot and seasoning
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 tbsp salted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 mounded Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 oz.)
  • 1 1/2 cups grated pepper jack cheese (about 6 oz.)
  • 1 generous c. shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1/4 cup Buffalo-style hot sauce, such as Frank's Red Hot, plus more for serving
  • 2 tbsp buttermilk ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 2 oz.), for serving (optional)
  • Celery leaves, for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside. 
  2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Season with the pepper and a good pinch of salt and cook until the onion and garlic are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. 
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic and stir to make a roux. Let cook 2 to 3 minutes before slowly stirring in the milk and then the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle boil, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. 
  4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar and pepper jack a handful at a time, allowing each addition to melt before adding the next. Stir in the chicken, hot sauce, and ranch dressing and cook until the chicken is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to combine. 
  5. Serve topped with the blue cheese, celery leaves, and a drizzle of hot sauce, if you like.

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