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Cooking adventures in a small, closet sized, kitchen. - I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.

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Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Pepper and Kalamata Olive Mac n Cheese

[heart_this] · Apr 10, 2011 · 29 Comments

Roasted Red Pepper and Kalamata Olive Mac n Cheese

Tangy goat cheese, sweet roasted red peppers, salty kalamata olives and artichoke hearts make this mac and cheese one to remember.

After far to much boxed mac n cheese in university I took a break from it until recently when I made a crab mac and cheese that I really enjoyed. I realized that there is a lot more that you can do than just your basic every day macaroni and cheese and ideas for different flavour combos have been swirling through my head ever since. One of those ideas sprang from the desire to use some of the roasted red peppers that were taking up so much space in my freezer.
Sweet roasted red peppers and tangy goat cheese are an amazing flavour combination and I was thinking that the goat cheese would work beautifully in a mac and cheese. From there I was thinking Greek flavours and some salty kalamata olives and feta cheese seemed like the natural next step. At this point I figured I was done but at the last minute I decided to bulk the mac and cheese up a bit with some artichoke hearts. I was thinking that the best way to get the goat cheese into the mac and cheese would be to melt it into a bechamel sauce which I seasoned with garlic and oregano. I also wanted to have a nice melted cheese topping so I added a handful of mozzarella cheese which is fairly mild and it melts well.
The goat cheese, roasted red pepper, kalamata olive and artichoke heart mac and cheese turned out really well! The flavour combination was simply fantastic and I quickly inhaled my bowl and was going for seconds in no time at all. I am definitely looking forward to enjoying the leftovers for lunch this week!

Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Pepper and Kalamata Olive Mac n Cheese

Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Pepper and Kalamata Olive Mac n Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Total Time: 1 hour Servings: 6

Tangy goat cheese, sweet roasted red peppers, salty kalamata olives and artichoke hearts make this mac and cheese one to remember.

ingredients
  • 1 pound pasta, your choice (gluten free for gluten free)
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 6 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 8 ounces goat cheese
  • 3 large roasted red peppers, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
  • 1/2 cup feta, crumbled
  • 1 cup mozzarella, grated
directions
  1. Start cooking the pasta as directed on the package.
  2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it is bubbling and it has turned a light golden brown.
  3. Mix in the flour and garlic and let simmer until it returns to a light golden brown.
  4. Mix in the milk, pepper, oregano and goat cheese and heat until the goat cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.
  5. Mix the pasta, sauce, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts and feta and pour the mixture into a baking dish.
  6. Sprinkle the mozzarella on top.
  7. Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until golden brown on the top and bubbling on the sides, about 30-40 minutes.
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Food, Gluten-free, Greek, Main Course, Pasta, Recipe, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alina---Explora Cuisine says

    April 11, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    This sounds incredible! Beautiful combination of flavours!

    Reply
  2. Lily Hydrangea says

    April 11, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    this is the fanciest mac n' cheese I've ever seen & it looks delicious too!
    : )

    Reply
  3. Claudia says

    April 11, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    I love the vegetable-cheese combination in this – tangy, sharp, mellow and sweet. I think this would serve no more than 4 in my house.

    Reply
  4. The Culinary Chase says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:02 am

    Kevin, this looks delicious!

    Reply
  5. Girly Notes says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:34 am

    your blog makes me hungry haha
    it is sweet to find a guy blogger because it isn't popular 🙂

    http://girlynote.blogspot.com

    Reply
  6. Bee says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:50 am

    I can't even imagine the flavor combination… this sounds amazing! Sadly I don't know if I'll ever be able to try it–the two people I cook for absolutely hate olives and peppers, despite how much I love them. Maybe I'll just have to make a huge pot for myself!

    Reply
  7. Kelly's Kitchen says

    April 12, 2011 at 2:36 am

    This dish looks absolutely incredible- it's always a great idea to throw artichoke hearts into a dish! Can't wait to try!

    Kelly,
    Check out my blog too! http://eatatkellys.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  8. Megg says

    April 12, 2011 at 4:05 am

    See, this is a problem. You can't make Mac n' Cheese MORE delicious.. then I'll just eat more of it! 😛

    No really, this looks fantastic. So tempting.. and yes, I will have to give in and try it. Great recipe; thanks!

    Reply
  9. Catherine says

    April 12, 2011 at 4:10 am

    This looks fantastic! I love kalamata olives.. http://www.frenchtoastandwine.com

    Reply
  10. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    April 12, 2011 at 6:38 am

    A scrumptious combo! This Mediterranean-style Mac'n'Cheese is perfect.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  11. Joanne says

    April 12, 2011 at 10:18 am

    I've made something super similar to this but without the olives and artichokes…delicious. But now I'm thinking my version needs a re-do!

    Reply
  12. Laura Jeanne says

    April 12, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Kevin, this looks addictive. Who would think to jazz up mac and cheese in such a way but I bet you it's out of this world.
    ahealthyjalapeno.com
    thanks for sharing 🙂
    Laura

    Reply
  13. Kathy says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    Adding this to my meal plan for next week!

    Reply
  14. Cassie says

    April 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    This is an adult mac and cheese, something I could really get into! Yum!

    Reply
  15. Aisha Jameel says

    April 12, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    That looks absolutely amazing ! you have an amazing blog 🙂
    please do visit n follow my blog if you wish to @ http://kitchensojourn.blogspot.com 🙂
    thx

    Reply
  16. Maria♥ says

    April 12, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    Anything with goats cheese gets my vote! This looks so delish.

    Maria
    x

    Reply
  17. CorazondeDios says

    April 12, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    I detect a mac and cheese theme to your blogging!

    Seriously, your menus are great. Our family gratefully appreciates them. This one sounds REALLY yummy!

    Reply
  18. anniebakes says

    April 12, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    I love the roasted red pepper addition!! anne

    Reply
  19. luerai says

    April 12, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    I didn't realize mac and cheese can be so appetizing. Yum!

    Reply
  20. Anonymous says

    April 12, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Delish! I love switching up mac and cheese. Yum!

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    April 12, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    Now that's some gourmet mac & cheese. Looks delicious, Kevin!!

    Reply
  22. Jennifurla says

    April 12, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    Just recently made a similiar type risotto, this looks wonderful

    Reply
  23. Ruth Daniels says

    April 13, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    That is one insanely awesome mac 'n cheese… a very far cry from KD! Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

    Reply
  24. Bestie says

    April 14, 2011 at 3:21 am

    this sounds so amazing! my kids are going to love it.

    Reply
  25. Sweet Artichoke says

    April 14, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    What an innovative and tempting version of Mac n Cheese! Very tasty and flavorful!
    Thanks for sending it to PPN!

    Reply
  26. Audrey Ellen @ My Scene and Herd says

    April 27, 2011 at 4:41 am

    mediterranean -ish mac and cheese, that is definitely a new flavor combo on the popular mac and cheese scene.
    nice job!

    Reply
  27. sheila @ Elements says

    May 4, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    I'm not a fan of mac and cheese, but this…well…let's just say I could eat this every day and be happy!!

    Mac and cheese with cheddar and/or American cheese is just not my thing.

    But mac and cheese made with goat cheese, roasted red peppers, and kalamata olives…well…they're perfect together! I can't wait to make this! 🙂

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says

    March 30, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    Looks like I chose a bad time to go on a diet. I'll include a salad and diet beverages and I should be fine.

    Update: I ate the entire batch in one sitting. I also ate an entire family sized salad, so it balanced out nicely.
    Very tasty!

    Reply
  29. Peabody says

    October 11, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    Love the Greek twist on this!

    Reply

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