Manwaring Cheese Lulas Chili Bacon Cheesy Cavatappi
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cavatappi noodles
- 6 tablespoon butter, unsalted
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/ 2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 4 cups Manwaring Lulas Chili Rub Cheese
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon cayenne *optional
- 8 slices Smoked Chili Candied Bacon, rough cut into 1/2” pieces
- 1/2–3/4 cup
- Panko
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add in the Cavatappi noodles.
- When the water begins to boil again, add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Cook until al dente, ~8 minutes.
- Drain but reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- While the noodles are cooking in a medium sauce pan melt 4 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- When the butter begins to bubble, whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. You want to cook the starch and flour taste off. Do not burn.
- Add in the milk and cream and whisk for 1-2 minutes or until well combined.
- Add in the salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika and cayenne, whisk and reduce to simmer.
- Whisk occasionally until thickened ~6-8 minutes.
- Add in 3 cups of cheese and whisk until smooth.
- If the sauce is too thick add in a little bit of the water until the sauce is at desired consistency.
- Add in 3/4ths of the bacon and whisk to combine.
- Remove from heat and add in the pasta.
- Using 1 tablespoon of butter, butter the insides of 6-8 6 ounce ramekins and fill the dishes with the mixture.
- Evenly distribute the Panko breadcrumbs on top of the filling.
- Distribute the remaining cheese on top and take the last tablespoon of butter and break it up into small pieces and place on top of the cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the panko is golden brown.
- Garnish with the remaining bacon pieces.