Description
A comforting, creamy mac and cheese that combines aged Irish cheddar, Swiss cheese, and Dubliner for a rich and nostalgic family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta
- 4 tablespoons Irish unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 package (7 oz) aged Irish cheddar, grated
- 1 cup Swiss cheese, grated
- 1 package (7 oz) Dubliner cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the cavatappi until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour and increase heat to medium, stirring continuously for about 2-3 minutes to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and rich. Add the bay leaf and ground cloves, and let simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the bay leaf and stir in the aged cheddar and Swiss cheese until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce. Transfer to a baking dish, stir in half of the Dubliner cheese, and top with the remaining cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Be generous with the cheese for added flavor, and feel free to add vegetables or proteins for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, Irish recipe, comfort food, family dinner, cheese