Description
This creamy and flavorful World’s Best Mac and Cheese recipe features penne pasta coated in a rich cheese sauce made from Jarlsberg and Monterey Jack cheeses, enhanced with crispy pancetta and subtle spices. Baked to perfection with a golden bubbly cheese topping, it’s a comforting dish perfect for a family meal or gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 6 oz penne pasta, cooked and drained
Meat
- 8 oz diced pancetta
Sauce
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 2 cups Jarlsberg cheese, grated, divided
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated, divided
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp chili powder, divided
- â…› tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook Pancetta: In a small skillet over medium heat, cook the diced pancetta until it becomes slightly crispy. Once done, drain the excess fat and set the pancetta aside to be added to the mac and cheese later.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens, which should take around 10 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in 1¾ cups of the grated Jarlsberg cheese, ¼ cup of the Monterey Jack cheese, salt, ¼ tsp chili powder, and garlic powder. Mix until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine and Assemble: Add the cooked penne pasta and crispy pancetta to the cheese sauce and stir until they are well coated. Transfer this mixture into the prepared baking pan. Evenly sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup Jarlsberg cheese and ¼ cup Monterey Jack cheese on top. Then, sprinkle the remaining ¼ tsp chili powder over the cheese for a slight kick.
- Bake and Serve: Bake the assembled dish uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden. Remove from oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- For a smokier flavor, consider adding smoked paprika instead of chili powder.
- You can substitute pancetta with bacon if pancetta is unavailable.
- Using a combination of Jarlsberg and Monterey Jack cheeses creates a creamy yet flavorful sauce — feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Gruyère or cheddar.
- Make sure to drain the pancetta well to avoid excess grease in the dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
