Today, I’m going to share with you a kicked-up version of macaroni and cheese. This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese takes everything you love about the original and twists in buffalo. You are going to fall in love with this amazing comfort food!
Bring the water to a roaring boil. As anxious as I know you are to eat your mac and cheese, you want to see huge bubbles in the water before adding the dry pasta.Salt the water. A little kosher salt (about a teaspoon) in pasta water can be a game changer for the final dish.Cook the pasta according to the time listed on the box. This seems like a no-brainer, but in the hustle and bustle of dinner time, you want to be sure to set a timer so that you drain the pasta when it is al dente.Drain the pasta when it is al dente. Do not rely on your timer alone. When it goes off, taste the pasta. It should have a little bite left to it, especially with this dish which will go on to be baked.
When making a roux, it is important to let the butter and flour cook for about thirty seconds once it is fully combined. This eliminates the taste of flour. Then slowly add in the half and half and whole milk. I like to start by adding just a few tablespoons at a time, and whisking it until it is fully absorbed by the roux before adding more. While we are starting slow, all of the liquid should be added within a minute or two. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in preservatives that keep it in shred form. Think about how freshly shredded cheese looks in your kitchen about an hour after shredding. It’s a little limp and not as great. Those preservatives that keep it in tip-top shape also prevent it from melting well. The TL/DR version is: shred your own cheese. It will take about an extra five minutes, but it will melt significantly better. I love to keep frozen shredded chicken in the freezer. You can pull out just the amount that you need, and it typically thaws on the countertop in about 30 minutes. To reheat the leftovers, add a little bit of milk and cook at half power in the microwave, or covered and in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
