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the new englander ( mac and cheese)

Sammyj2489 avatar
Recipe by
Samantha Jacobs
@Sammyj2489
Manchester, NH

I just entered this into a state-wide mac and cheese cook-off, and it went over really well, the crowd was crazy about it, some people even coming back for thirds. =) This hits the sweet and salty craving right where it counts! I hope you enjoy this as much as I do, and this brings you a little taste of New England.

yield 5 serving(s)
prep time 1 Hr 30 Min
cook time 1 Hr
method Bake

Ingredients For the new englander ( mac and cheese)

  • 1 lb
    cavatappi pasta
  • 6 pkg
    cabot vermont sharp cheddar cheese (8oz each)
  • 1 stick
    butter,salted
  • 2 can
    evaporated milk, 12 oz each
  • 2 can
    campbells chedder cheese soup, 10.75 oz
  • 1 lb
    bacon (preferably nh made)
  • 2 lg
    yellow onions, julienned
  • 10 oz
    nh maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp
    each, salt and pepper.

How To Make the new englander ( mac and cheese)

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 375
  • 2
    Cook pasta according to pasta directions just until done - You don't want it mushy, because it will absorb a little of the cheesy liquid in the oven, and strain it and add it back to your pasta pot.
  • 3
    Bake your bacon at 375 on a cookie sheet for about 10-13 min. until JUST crispy but not burned.
  • 4
    Shred your cheese with a grater or food processor with grater attachment OR just dice it up real small so as to melt easily. set it aside. (you can do this while your bacon is cooking, just keep an eye on it! ;) )
  • 5
    Drizzle the bacon with maple syrup and put back in for 3 min. watch it carefully so as not to burn it.
  • 6
    small dice all of your cooked bacon and set aside
  • 7
    take all your onion and add about 2 TBS of butter, and 1/4 tsp of salt and add to a sautee pan. Cook on medium low-medium, stirring every so often until caramelized. (about 30 min). add 2 TBS maple syrup in the last 5 min. of cooking. They should be a dark golden color. Strain all excess grease out of the pan( I threw it in a strainer and pushed the onions down to ensure all the grease was gone.) and set aside with the bacon.
  • 8
    Combine soup, evaporated milk, butter, salt, and pepper in a large microwaveable bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, leaving a small vent, and cook for 6-7 minutes until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm-to-hot throughout. (If making a half batch, 4 minutes in the microwave should do it).
  • 9
    Add to cooked pasta.
  • 10
    Add cheese a little at a time, stirring constantly until everything is melted and incorporated.
  • 11
    Bake for 40-45 minutes until Golden brown on top
  • 12
    Serve with Maple Syrup drizzled over the top. FOR CROCK POT: Follow directions 1-5, leave your crock pot on low and cook for 4 hours.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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