So Easy Bleu Buffalo Mac and Cheese

     

I made homemade macaroni and cheese. I used this recipe. It was definitely easy, and it was definitely quick (I skipped the microwaving portion and simply melted everything on the stovetop in the same pan I made the noodles.) However, it was also definitely...plain. We like flavorful food, and while Josie loved it the way it turned out, I decided it needed a little jazzing up. 

   Joel and I have recently discovered that we like bleu cheese. I also love anything involving buffalo sauce. I love Frank's Red Hot (a friend turned me on to the wonder that is buffalo chicken dip), and also I am obsessed with Wishbone's Buffalo Ranch dressing. So, I started poking around the pantry and came up with this easy Bleu Buffalo Mac & Cheese "recipe".

"Bleu Buffalo Mac & Cheese"
You will need:
-seasoned breadcrumbs (I used Garlic and Herb)
-blue cheese crumbles
-Buffalo Tabasco (or your favorite buffalo sauce)
-grated cheddar
-one recipe of your favorite homemade mac & cheese.

The base macaroni and cheese recipe I used is here and is perfect because it isn't too salty. The other ingredients are so salty that you will not want to use any extra salt!

I didn't take exact measurements, but this isn't a recipe that requires perfection. The key is to not go overboard with the bread crumbs. You will also want your mac & cheese to be hot, because you won't be heating it, just browning the top.

      Place about half of the mac & cheese in an oven proof dish. If I had to guess, it was probably about 2 1/2 c. Sprinkle 1/4 c. of grated cheddar over the top. Sprinkle 1-2 tbsp. of breadcrumbs over that. (You literally want to sprinkle, not cover. Start with a small amount and add more if you like). Sprinkle 1-2 tbsp. of blue cheese crumbles over that. Then liberally shake Tabasco over if you like it spicy, it basically looked like I had garnished mine when I was finished. Then place under broiler and broil under bubbly and golden brown. Make sure to get it nicely browned to take the raw flavor out of the breadcrumbs.  Serves two generously.

     I reheated the remainder of the macaroni today and fixed this again, and had it for lunch with a green salad. It was such a nice twist on regular mac. And I didn't even miss the meat! Although you could easily add grilled chicken to it if you don't do vegetarian. You can also up the heat level by adding more buffalo sauce. Halving the recipe is perfect for families, too, since we had plenty of plain mac for the kids. This Bleu Buffalo Mac is definitely a grown-up version!

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