Mac & Three Cheeses with Whipping Cream and Ham
Mac & Three Cheeses with Whipping Cream and Ham
Servings: 4-6
Cook time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients:
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb / dry rigatoni
- 4 cups / heavy cream
- 1 tsp / smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp / cayenne pepper
- 3 shakes / of your favorite hot sauce, optional
- 8 oz / cream cheese
- 8 oz / Gouda, shredded
- 1 lb / 1/4 inch thick ham slices, diced
- 1 cup / panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup / grated Romano pecorino
- 1/2 cup / sliced scallions, optional
Instructions:
- Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Combine the cream, paprika, cayenne and hot sauce if using, in a skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the cream mixture is reduced by half and thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese and Gouda until fully melted. Stir in the ham and cooked pasta and continue to mix until fully combined.
- Stir together the panko, pecorino and scallions if using in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
- (Alternatively, you can make the mac and cheese in a 12-inch enameled cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, then top with the panko mixture and bake in a 400 degrees oven for 10 minutes.)