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You are here: Home / Main Course Recipes / Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Crispy Pancetta

Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Crispy Pancetta

March 15, 2017 By Spices in My DNA 2 Comments

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Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Crispy Pancetta
Mac and cheese is seriously the ultimate comfort food. Especially when it involves more than one cheese and CRISPY PANCETTA. The salty, crispy bites of pancetta add the best flavor dimension to this. In love! Plus it’s Irish themed, and takes less than 30 minutes to make. Perfect for St. Patty’s festivities this week!

Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Crispy Pancetta

It’s SO freaking creamy. Just how I like it. If you’re gonna have mac and cheese, have mac and cheese. That’s how I see it. I’m a huge proponent of honoring your cravings and treating yourself, within reason of course.

I did use chickpea pasta here however, which is higher in fiber and protein than regular pasta, and lower in carbs too. It’s super delish! You can use whatever kind of pasta you like though!

I used a blend of Irish cheddar and Dubliner cheese here. SUCH a good combo. If you’ve never had Dubliner, it’s kind of like a nutty aged cheddar mixed with the flavor and texture of parm. I can’t get enough of it. It adds such a delicious dimension to this cheeeeesy sauce.

Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Crispy Pancetta

I added a tiny bit of green here (haha) in the form of chives. Hey, we needed a little color, right? And green for St. Patty’s! The chives just add a slight oniony deliciousness.

Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Crispy Pancetta

One thing I thought of last minute: this would probably be so good with a splash of beer added to the cheese sauce when you add the milk. If anyone wants to try it, let me know how it turns out!

Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Crispy Pancetta

Beer on the side is a good idea too.

Print

Irish Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Crispy Pancetta

This Irish cheddar mac and cheese is super creamy, delicious, and topped with crispy pancetta! The ultimate comfort food.

Course Main Course, Pasta
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2
Author Molly | Spices in My DNA

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces pasta of your choice (I used Banza chickpea pasta!)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2 1/2 cups freshly grated Irish cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup freshly grated Dubliner cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (a healthy pinch)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 ounes diced pancetta
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Set aside.

  2. Preheat a medium skillet to medium-high heat and add pancetta. Cook for 5 minutes or so, stirring frequently until deeply golden and crispy. Set aside and let drain on paper towels.

  3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour, whisking constantly and cook for 1 minute.

  4. Slowly add the milk, still whisking constantly. Raise heat to high, bring to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened, still whisking (you don't want the bottom to burn!). Add the dijon, nutmeg, and a few cracks of black pepper.

  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Gradually add the cheddar and Dubliner, stirring until completely melted. Add the pasta and half of the pancetta and stir until combined. Season to taste with pepper and salt if it needs it (I find the pancetta and cheese are salty enough).

  6. Portion into bowls and top with remaining pancetta and chives!

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Filed Under: Main Course Recipes, Pasta Tagged With: cheddar, chickpea pasta, comfort food, easy, easy meal, irish, mac and cheese, pasta, st. patrick's day, st. patty's

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  1. Smoked Salmon Crispy Smashed Potato Bites with Avocado Dill Sauce says:
    April 4, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    […] off with the most decadent Irish cream chocolate bread, then we went savory with the super creamy Irish cheddar mac and cheese with crispy pancetta, and finally today’s smoked salmon app! I love these little bites. These […]

    Reply
  2. Pancetta Mac N’ Cheese – SoHungryFeedMe says:
    February 22, 2018 at 4:21 am

    […] Inspired by: Spices in my DNA […]

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm so happy you're here. This is the space where I share healthy recipes with a sprinkle of indulgence mixed in! I’m wildly passionate about food, and I grew up in a family of foodies. I was surrounded by it from an early age and immediately fell in love. I love to share super flavorful, unique, and healthy recipes, as well as indulgent, comforting meals we all need from time to time!

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