Roasted Jalapeño and Pancetta Four-Cheese Macaroni

By Brad Brozynski

Servings: 8 to 10

INGREDIENTS:

3 fresh jalapeño chiles
8 ounces pancetta, diced
5 tablespoons butter, divided
1/2 yellow onion, diced
4 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons flour
5 cups (20 ounces) Wisconsin aged cheddar cheese, shredded
3 cups (12 ounces) Wisconsin 3-pepper colby-jack or pepper jack cheese, shredded
2 cups (8 ounces) Wisconsin smoked gouda cheese, shredded
3/4 cup (3 ounces) Wisconsin fontina cheese, shredded
1 pound elbow pasta
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

COOKING DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Place jalapeños on baking sheet and roast about 20 minutes (until charred). Remove and place in resealable plastic bag for 10-15 minutes. Remove peppers from bag, slice in half; remove half of seeds and dice.

Fry pancetta in sauté pan until crispy. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel; set aside.

In sauté pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter and add diced onions. Cook over low heat until caramelized; remove from pan and set aside.

Place heavy whipping cream in saucepan and warm on low heat.

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in large sauté pan. Add flour and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Gradually whisk in warmed heavy whipping cream. Cook, stirring often, 8-10 minutes or until mixture is thickened and smooth.

Reduce heat to low. Reserve 1 cup aged cheddar. Add remaining cheddar and other cheeses to pan and stir to incorporate.

Once all cheese is melted and incorporated, add reserved pancetta, onions and jalapeños; keep warm.

Cook pasta according to package directions in salted boiling water until "al dente." Drain pasta, return to pan and stir in cheese sauce.

Pour mixture into buttered 10 x 15-inch baking dish and sprinkle with reserved aged cheddar.

Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter. In small bowl, combine melted butter and bread crumbs; sprinkle mixture over top of macaroni. Bake 20-25 minutes at 400°F or until golden brown.

For more see:

wisconsin cheese food service