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
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
- Start cooking the pasta as directed on the package.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it is bubbling and it has turned a light golden brown.
- Mix in the flour and garlic and let simmer until it returns to a light golden brown.
- Mix in the milk, pepper, oregano and goat cheese and heat until the goat cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.
- Mix the pasta, sauce, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts and feta and pour the mixture into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella on top.
- 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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Alina---Explora Cuisine says
April 11, 2011 at 11:25 pmThis sounds incredible! Beautiful combination of flavours!
Lily Hydrangea says
April 11, 2011 at 11:25 pmthis is the fanciest mac n' cheese I've ever seen & it looks delicious too!
: )
Claudia says
April 11, 2011 at 11:32 pmI love the vegetable-cheese combination in this – tangy, sharp, mellow and sweet. I think this would serve no more than 4 in my house.
The Culinary Chase says
April 12, 2011 at 1:02 amKevin, this looks delicious!
Girly Notes says
April 12, 2011 at 1:34 amyour blog makes me hungry haha
it is sweet to find a guy blogger because it isn't popular 🙂
http://girlynote.blogspot.com
Bee says
April 12, 2011 at 1:50 amI 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!
Kelly's Kitchen says
April 12, 2011 at 2:36 amThis 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/
Megg says
April 12, 2011 at 4:05 amSee, 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!
Catherine says
April 12, 2011 at 4:10 amThis looks fantastic! I love kalamata olives.. http://www.frenchtoastandwine.com
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
April 12, 2011 at 6:38 amA scrumptious combo! This Mediterranean-style Mac'n'Cheese is perfect.
Cheers,
Rosa
Joanne says
April 12, 2011 at 10:18 amI'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!
Laura Jeanne says
April 12, 2011 at 12:05 pmKevin, 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
Kathy says
April 12, 2011 at 1:21 pmAdding this to my meal plan for next week!
Cassie says
April 12, 2011 at 2:00 pmThis is an adult mac and cheese, something I could really get into! Yum!
Aisha Jameel says
April 12, 2011 at 3:27 pmThat looks absolutely amazing ! you have an amazing blog 🙂
please do visit n follow my blog if you wish to @ http://kitchensojourn.blogspot.com 🙂
thx
Maria♥ says
April 12, 2011 at 4:52 pmAnything with goats cheese gets my vote! This looks so delish.
Maria
x
CorazondeDios says
April 12, 2011 at 5:11 pmI detect a mac and cheese theme to your blogging!
Seriously, your menus are great. Our family gratefully appreciates them. This one sounds REALLY yummy!
anniebakes says
April 12, 2011 at 5:49 pmI love the roasted red pepper addition!! anne
luerai says
April 12, 2011 at 6:19 pmI didn't realize mac and cheese can be so appetizing. Yum!
Anonymous says
April 12, 2011 at 6:20 pmDelish! I love switching up mac and cheese. Yum!
Anonymous says
April 12, 2011 at 7:32 pmNow that's some gourmet mac & cheese. Looks delicious, Kevin!!
Jennifurla says
April 12, 2011 at 11:27 pmJust recently made a similiar type risotto, this looks wonderful
Ruth Daniels says
April 13, 2011 at 1:36 pmThat is one insanely awesome mac 'n cheese… a very far cry from KD! Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
Bestie says
April 14, 2011 at 3:21 amthis sounds so amazing! my kids are going to love it.
Sweet Artichoke says
April 14, 2011 at 8:01 pmWhat an innovative and tempting version of Mac n Cheese! Very tasty and flavorful!
Thanks for sending it to PPN!
Audrey Ellen @ My Scene and Herd says
April 27, 2011 at 4:41 ammediterranean -ish mac and cheese, that is definitely a new flavor combo on the popular mac and cheese scene.
nice job!
sheila @ Elements says
May 4, 2011 at 5:05 pmI'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! 🙂
Anonymous says
March 30, 2012 at 2:09 pmLooks 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!
Peabody says
October 11, 2012 at 9:10 pmLove the Greek twist on this!