Whoever said Mac and Cheese belonged on kid’s menus was wrong. Our Creamy, Baked Mac and Cheese for Adults uses “adult” ingredients like pancetta, thyme, shallots, white wine, and a three-cheese blend of goat’s brie, cheddar, and soft unripened chèvre.
Whenever we go out to eat and there are menu options for kids, I always peruse the little plates of deliciousness. I love the classic versions of favorite eats that have become staples for little ones, and while I secretly wish I could order from this junior section, I often wonder why adult versions of these dishes don’t exist on the adult menu.
You know the dishes I’m talking about: chicken fingers and fries, mozzarella sticks, and the classic Macaroni and Cheese. Inspired by the kid’s menu, our Creamy, Baked Mac and Cheese is made for adults, using adult flavors and ingredients like pancetta, thyme, shallots, white wine, and a three-cheese blend of goat’s brie, cheddar and chevre.
What Makes This Adult Mac n' Cheese?
Swapping out orange cheddar for a selection of goat cheese adds dimension, tanginess, and texture, making our Creamy, Baked Mac, and Cheese for Adults, well creamy. A mac and cheese not known for its stringiness, but its rich, gooey, and elegant flavor, the additional adult ingredients white wine, shallots, chilis, and thyme, compliment the goat cheese and truly make this a pasta not found on the kid’s menu.
What we love about this dish is the adult ingredients coming to life in a simple favorite. The pancetta adds a subtle and less smokey undertone, the delicateness of the shallot adds sweetness and the thyme brings it together for a complimenting dish tied up brightly with the white wine.
Taking a notch up from an Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese, don’t confuse this elegant dish for one that isn’t a classic. Perfect for large gatherings like family dinners, holidays, and even the Super Bowl, or quiet intimate dinners meant to impress like date night, Valentine’s Day or hosting your in-laws, this Creamy, Baked Mac and Cheese involves simple preparation, accessible ingredients, and a whole pot of deliciousness waiting for you in every bite.
Make this adult mac and cheese a full meal by serving it with our Brussels Sprout Caesar, Chicken Puttanesca, Fried Chicken Sandwich, or Homemade Big Mac.
Ingredient List
- Pancetta
- Shallots
- Butter
- Bread crumbs
- Thyme
- Macaroni
- Milk
- Flour
- Cheddar Cheese
- Brie Cheese
- Goat Cheese (chèvre)
- White wine
- Red pepper flakes
Recipe Steps: How to Make Creamy Baked Mac n Cheese for Adults.
Step 1. Preparation
Like with most recipes, preparation is key to making a successful homemade macaroni and cheese. Cut the pancetta, slice the shallots, chop the thyme and grate the cheese. The brie and be cut into small wedges, leaving the rind on, which will just melt into this super creamy mac and cheese. Once your ingredients are prepped, preheat your oven at 400° F. Fill a large pot with water adding a tablespoon of salt to the water. Set the pot on the stove to boil. In a small saucepan, heat the milk on medium heat. You need the milk to be hot, but not boiling, when you start making the cheese sauce.
Add the diced pancetta into a French oven, then place on your stove set to medium-high heat. Cook the pancetta for 7-8 minutes until it begins to crisp, then add the shallots and sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes, until softened and golden brown. Transfer to a bowl to use later, then return the French oven to your stove. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter, add the bread crumbs and thyme, then cook for 3-43 minutes, again until golden and transfer to its own small bowl. Once this is done, you can begin cooking the macaroni.
Step 2. Make a Roux
The first key to a super creamy mac and cheese is making a roux. A roux is a sauce consisting of butter, flour, and milk which functions as the base for our cheese sauce. Start by melting a half cup of butter in your French oven at medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes until it turns pasty and golden. Slowly pour in the milk, while whisking, and mix until smooth and creamy.
Step 3. Make the Cheese Sauce
Add all the cheese to the roux. Stir until the cheese has melted. There may be a few bits of rind remaining, but don’t worry, they will melt when the mac and cheese is baked in the oven. Once the cheese has melted add the white wine and give it a stir. Then finally stir in the pancetta and shallots, thyme, chilis, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Step 4. Combine and Bake
Drain the cooked macaroni and pour directly into the cheese sauce. Give it a good stir so the macaroni is evenly coated. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and bake in the oven, uncovered for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with an additional hit of chilis and thyme, if desired.
Recipe Card
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese for Adults
Ingredients
- 5 oz pancetta small diced
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup coarse bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- 1 lb macaroni pasta
- 4 cups milk
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 7 oz cheddar cheese
- 7 oz brie cheese
- 7 oz goat cheese (chèvre)
- ½ cup white wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Fill a large pot with water, add one tablespoon of salt, and place on high heat. In a small saucepan, pour in the milk and set heat to medium. Ensure the milk gets hot, but doesn’t boil.
- Add the diced pancetta into a French oven (minimum 4 litre capacity). Heat the pan to medium high, and cook the pancetta, stirring every minute or so, until it’s just starting to crisp up, about 7-8 minutes. Add the thinly sliced shallots, and sauté an additional 3-4 minutes, until softened and browned. Transfer to a bowl.
- Place the French oven back onto the heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the breadcrumbs and thyme and fry until golden brown, stirring often, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
- Add the macaroni to the boiling water. Cook as per the package instructions.
- Meanwhile, begin making a roux by melting a ½ cup butter in the French oven, on medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine and continue stirring until the roux begins to become golden, about 2-3 minutes. Pour in the hot milk and whisk until it becomes a creamy sauce free of any lumps. Add all the cheese and stir until melted. Pour in the white wine, stir, then add the cooked pancetta and onions, 1 tablespoon of thyme, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Taste the sauce for seasoning and adjust as necessary.
- Add the cooked macaroni directly into the cheese sauce and mix well to get an even creaminess throughout the macaroni. Top with bread crumbs, then place the French oven in the oven. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling.
- Allow to cool for just a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
- This can be easily divided for date-night, or multiplied for family gatherings
- This is a dish best served the day of. It still tastes good the next day, but it won’t be as creamy.
- You can leave the rind on the brie. It may take a little longer to melt and if there are a few chunks left, don’t worry, any leftover bits will melt when baking in the oven.
- We’ve used a Le Creuset French Oven. If you don’t have a French oven, you can use a deep skillet for the stovetop, and a casserole dish for the oven.
Laila says
AMAZING! I love this dish so much and so did all of my guests this Christmas. Everyone has been asking for the recipe, honestly I think it’s because it tastes very complex but it was pretty simple. I have nothing bad to say about this recipe
Philip Lago + Mystique Mattai says
No better comment than this. Merry Christmas!
Leah Y. says
I know this is a typo but... cooking breadcrumbs from "3 to 43 minutes" sounded pretty funny.
Philip + Mystique says
LOL... always appreciate the heads up!
Elizabeth Vlug says
This is a keeper. Will definitely be trying this flavour combination of pure comfort food. Thanks for sharing.
Farwin says
Wow! Adult version of the good ol' mac and cheese? That got me perked up. It's such a great idea and love all the flavor pairings going on this dish. Absolutely gorgeous photography too!
Denise@urbnspice says
Now - THAT is a gourmet Mac and cheese! It looks and sounds so luscious and decadent - and perfect for some of my family who can only tolerate goat milk. I am so looking to making it! Many thanks for sharing such a terrific adult Mac and cheese recipe. We are the same way when we go to a restaurant - the Mac and cheese in the menu is always so appealing. Your recipe would top any of them! ❤️
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Denise! Yes, always hard to resist a good mac and cheese in a restaurant. We do use traditional cow's milk and butter in the recipe, however, both can be swapped for goat.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says
It looks great and I bet it tastes even better! The combination of those wonderful cheeses, the pancetta, the wine, all add to the sophisticated flavor.
Jo Vanderwolf says
Absolutely gorgeous photos! This sounds like a mac and cheese I definitely want to try. So sophisticated, yet so simple. Love it!
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Jo! Thanks for the kind words. You're definitely going to love this mac and cheese!
Donna says
This looks absolutely wonderful. I love the step-by-step images to the final product. My partner loves Mac & Cheese but I have to make it. I must admit, I've been a little intimated to tackle this one. It's one of those recipes that seems really simple, but definitely requires that right kinds of ingredients to make it really good (i.e. the right cheeses, topping, creaminess, etc). I should try this one out! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Bernice Hill says
Delicious! Adding cheese on top of carbs, then adding even more carbs is my jam! This is some high voltage mac n cheese!
Chef Sous Chef says
Everything in moderation... even moderation, right? ?
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
I'm loving this hearty and sophisticated mac and cheese! The brie and goat cheese really take it up a notch!
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Leanne! It's definitely hearty, but a nice comforting dish for date nights or entertaining.
Queen B says
I saw you making this on your Instagram Stories and had to try it right away. Oh my goodness, it was so amazing. Really cheesy and the goat cheese flavour wasn't too strong. The chilis actually gave a nice hit of heat. Definitely making this again!
Chef Sous Chef says
Amazing! We're so glad you found the recipe through Instagram. We have a lot of fun doing stories.