Cheddar

Cowgirl Creamery's Classic Mac and Cheese

All this week, Sue Conley and Peggy Smith from Cowgirl Creamery will be sharing recipes from their forthcoming cookbook Cowgirl Creamery Cooksanswering our questions, and giving away a book every day.  

Today: Your classic baked mac and cheese, with a bite.

 Cowgirl Mac and Cheese on Food52

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This version of mac and cheese is creamy and simple, so the flavor of your the cheese you use comes through. Choose a good sharp cheddar as a base; you can use all cheddar or a combination of half cheddar and half ends and bits of other cheeses. Some folks add parsley or other herbs before baking, as seen in this photo. Peggy and I like to make it without herbs. 

Classic Mac and Cheese

Serves 4

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 pound grating cheese
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
12 ounces pasta (elbow or corkscrew)
1 1/2 cups panko or fresh bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan or other cheese 

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

Want to win a copy of Cowgirl Creamery Cooks? Tell us in the comments: What do you like to add into your mac and cheese? We'll choose one random winner each day, and announce them this Friday! (Unfortunately, we can only ship books within the US.)

Photo by Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton.

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    Kaye Henley
Cowgirl Creamery launched in 1997, but our story began well before then. We met freshman year at the University of Tennessee where, little did we know, a lifelong friendship and infatuation with food would ensue. In 1976 our journey westward began. Once arriving in the Bay Area, we became involved in the burgeoning food movement at Chez Panisse and Bette's Oceanview Diner, both in Berkeley, CA. By the early 1990s, we were ready for a new challenge when we decided to launch Tomales Bay Foods, a marketing vehicle to help West Marin's farms and dairies get their delicious products into the hands of the Bay Area's finest chefs. From there, we decided to make our own cheese using the milk from neighboring Straus Family Creamery. Two decades, two creameries, four retail stores, and two thousand tons of cheese later, we still love what we do and have decided to bring our stories and recipes (dishes that use cheese not how to make cheese) to you in our first cookbook, Cowgirl Creamery Cooks.

81 Comments

Sara May 13, 2014
Chipotle powder!
 
Holly S. May 11, 2014
pepperjack cheese if you please ;)
 
Gorgan May 11, 2014
Crumbs of Ewe's Blue Cheese
 
Joanna H. May 11, 2014
I always add 'bout a T+ of Franks Hot Sauce, about a half C chopped onions(added with the butter & cooked 'til soft), and perhaps a shake or two of red pepper to the sauce while thickening...
 
Kaye H. November 4, 2013
I like to add a little bacon salt.
 
nan M. November 3, 2013
I use some monterey pepper jack cheese and always crisp bacon to the bread crumb topping!
 
Patkunstenaar November 2, 2013
Favorite additions are small pieces of Pancetta, just for the added flavor, buttered breadcrumbs lightly browned on top.
 
susan K. November 1, 2013
bacon & chives!
 
No B. October 31, 2013
chipotles in abobo and thick cut bacon
 
FOODeAFFAIR October 31, 2013
Kasseri and garlic....yum!
 
Ross B. October 31, 2013
Hatch Chiles.
 
patti October 31, 2013
my favorite thing to add to my mac and cheese is MY TEETH!!!!!
 
Maria October 31, 2013
I add a touch of cayenne pepper & T or so of sour cream to sauce!
 
Millie October 31, 2013
I add canned chopped tomatoes! Makes a macaroni and cheese bisque...
 
DebMommy October 31, 2013
Ripe Tomato Slices - so good!!
 
kelin October 31, 2013
I'm a sucker for broccoli in my mac n' cheese, and just when it starts to feel a bit healthier, I top it with bacon.
 
Miriam S. October 31, 2013
Lobster is delicious but shrimp is also great
 
Allison L. October 30, 2013
Jalapeños, crispy pancetta & toasty breadcrumbs on top
 
Alexandra H. October 30, 2013
Butternut squash and a generous layer of sautéed bread crumbs!
 
S-hari October 30, 2013
just a bit of nutmeg into the white sauce and of course, sauteed onions...
 
Peg October 30, 2013
Truffles... But since they are not in the budget.. A little truffle oil!
 
Maggie R. October 30, 2013
I like sauteed onion and/or bacon. What is life without them?
 
Tracy H. October 30, 2013
I like to add lobster and truffle oil to my mac n cheese.
 
Caryn C. October 30, 2013
Smoked Paprika!
 
Joanne M. October 30, 2013
just a few drizzles of white truffle oil makes everything better!
 
Regina-Helen S. October 30, 2013
I like to add garlic, and ground mustard, but the dijon could be what i've been looking for all along!!!
 
Judy W. October 30, 2013
I add a couple T Pacific Coast Dijon mustard, 1 T horseradish, and minced onion and garlic
 
ellemmbee October 30, 2013
Omigosh! What don't I add? Leftovers! Veggies, greens, some pumpkin purée, a dash of sriracha! And sometimes, nothing! Pure simple indulgence.
 
Jaimie October 30, 2013
A bit of spinach for some green color!
 
Anne H. October 30, 2013
I add a whole onion, fresh ground nutmeg and black pepper when I heat the milk (I remove the onion before adding the cheese). I also add browned sliced and diced pancetta with the grated cheese. Sometimes I will also add taleggio and finish it with a drizzle of white truffle oil.
 
Nacia L. October 30, 2013
Old Bay Seasoning is my secret ingredient.
 
debbieha1 October 30, 2013
My all time favorite is adding lobster meat or very good lump crab meat (nothing cheap) and a soft blue cremery cheese to my mixure after I have added the milk it adds such a nice tangy flavor topped with home made garlic crutons baked to perfection
Yummy!!
 
Wanda R. October 30, 2013
A little minced onion and diced Roma tomato
 
June S. October 30, 2013
I use chevre, cowgirl creamery fromage blanc, parmiggiano reggiano, and aged goat cheddar in the cheese sauce. Then serve it on fresh spinach and garnish w/ truffle salt and cracked pepper.
 
Toni October 30, 2013
I always cook diced bacon to add the M & C....sometimes I add a little mushroom chopped and cooked prior to adding into the Mix...YUM
 
alme October 30, 2013
This time of year I like to saute broccoli or cauliflower with garlic and crushed red pepper and add that in.
 
Melisa A. October 30, 2013
I would add horseradish...to spice it up even more!
 
Peg October 30, 2013
Peg Munion
I'm going to add 4 Oz. of diced Pancetta tonight for dinner. I'll saute pancetta first then add in.
 
Ann B. October 30, 2013
I like to use some mascarpone. It makes it really creamy!
 
Mary B. October 30, 2013
Well, dang! I hate computer keyboards that can't spell!
I ADD a couple of chopped Serrano peppers.
 
Mary B. October 30, 2013
I had a couple of chopped Serrano peppers.
 
mal October 30, 2013
What ever is on hand ... M'n C is a platform on which to build ... being a New Englander transplanted to the northwest...poached fresh albacore is wicked good!
 
jennifer L. October 30, 2013
Smoked cheese and chard
 
jimmyD October 30, 2013
morel mushrôoms and pancetta
 
K_Squared October 28, 2013
Was there ever a list of winners announced for the contests?
 
Cindy L. October 28, 2013
Silly question-----a fork!
 
Julie October 27, 2013
I like to make what I call Mystery Mac N Cheese. Being a cheese addict I always serve or bring a cheese platter to dinner. I save up the left over odds and ends then add them to a classic sauce that has white cheddar and gruyere or Comte. I made some yesterday and it had several triple creams, bandaged cheddar, goat cheese, marscapone, jalapeño pub cheese and more. Top it off with bread crumbs and Parmesan!
 
Amy N. October 26, 2013
I like to put bacon and tomatoes in my Mac and cheese. In fact, it is what I am making for dinner. Excited to taste this recipe. Oh and sriracha!!!!
 
Rebecca October 26, 2013
I love a bit of something spicy in my mac. Pickled jalapeños usually answer the call
 
Chef A. October 26, 2013
Green chilies in with the mac and a crushed Ritz cracker topping. I really could eat this every day :-)
 
ChompingTheBigApple October 26, 2013
Smoked cheese inside and herb breadcrumbs on top. My favorite mac and cheeses are the simple ones.
 
IreneR October 26, 2013
topped with mesquite-smoked bacon and a "mess" of shrimp (deveined and fried in a scant teaspoon of olive oil, pinch of salt, a generous dollop of chili-garlic paste).
 
Hip-Baby M. October 26, 2013
A touch of sour cream and some New Mexico red chile powder
 
Droplet October 24, 2013
A snug layer of peeled sliced tomatoes on the bottom drizzled with a little balsamic.
 
sher6001 October 23, 2013
I love to add chili which is perfect with the sharp cheddar
 
Jen October 23, 2013
As a more umami option, I sometimes like to add a mix of baby portobello and rehydrated porcini mushrooms to my mac and cheese, seasoned with a bit of truffle salt.
 
madcook October 23, 2013
I often add some Pt. Reyes Blue cheese into my Mac and Cheese... just a touch adds a nice flavor note to the mix.
 
Fairmount_market October 22, 2013
chopped kale
 
Dana D. October 22, 2013
GARLIC! To be fair, I like to add that to everything, but yes, garlic. And hot sauce! Mmmm...
 
marcellatp October 22, 2013
I stir sour cream into the sauce - so wickedly creamy that way!
 
heyjude October 22, 2013
Bacon and mushrooms
 
Kateq October 22, 2013
halved cherry tomatoes and a mix of grated parmesan and smoked paprika over the top
 
pamandab October 22, 2013
mmm... All Of These sound Great, But I'm a purist and Don't Want Much Besides Cheeses...Except Truffle Oil. Truffle Mac And Cheese Done Well Makes Me Gaga!
 
LucyS October 22, 2013
I love jalepeno or something smokey, like paprika or a smokey cheese. Also must add that Cowgirl Creamery makes the best cheese I have EVER HAD.
 
Auntie L. October 22, 2013
This recipe looks about perfect to me. I have been known to add cubes of smoked ham... and goat cheese...
 
Amy October 22, 2013
I love goat cheese and mushrooms! Chopped and toasted pistachios on top.
 
Allison J. October 22, 2013
pancetta and green onions! with a buttery bread crumb + parmesan topping
 
lzhang October 22, 2013
sweet smokey paprika!
 
Regine October 22, 2013
I like to replace some of the cheese with 1/2 to 1 cup smoked cheddar cheese and some chopped chives. Then I top it with crushed ritz crackers mixed with a tiny bit of melted butter.
 
pierino October 22, 2013
I'm a Central Coast resident and I've been an apostle for the Cowgirls for years. Bring me your cheese, please.
 
K_Squared October 22, 2013
I like to dice leftover baked ham & add that to my mac & cheese. Makes the dish more of a whole meal if you throw in some steamed broccoli or asparagus too!
 
Tery October 22, 2013
either jalapeno or bacon pieces
 
passifloraedulis October 22, 2013
Jalapeno!
 
Jen October 22, 2013
I love to add pancetta bits to my mac and cheese. I render out the fat and use the fat in place of some of the butter for the bechamel sauce sauce. I then top the finished mac and cheese with the crispy pancetta bits.
 
Ronald M. October 22, 2013
Hatch green chilies
 
aixpat October 22, 2013
Poblano chiles!
 
Kimmers October 22, 2013
bacon -- because everything (even mac and cheese) is better with bacon
 
Hanui C. October 22, 2013
I love adding crushed potato chips instead of bread crumbs! Cheesy sausages are also great! Cowgirl is hands down my favorite creamery!!!!!
 
chez_mere October 22, 2013
Mmm, after seeing the first snowflakes of the season this morning, this sounds like just the ticket for dinner tonight. I think I'll toss in leftover cubes of roasted butternut squash and some sage, both of which I think go great with sharp cheddar
 
Miss F. October 22, 2013
I lived abroad for a couple of years in a very hot place where you can't get a lot of cheese (West Africa), so we would make mac and cheese with Laughing cow cheese, grilled onions and curry. Really delicious!
 
cupcakemuffin October 22, 2013
Oooh, I love Cowgirl Creamery although I have never had their mac and cheese. I am obsessed with their cheese toasties with pickles - amazing, definitely hope that recipe is in the book! :) My recent favorite Mac & Cheese addition was artichoke hearts and spinach, with some feta added to the mix. Super yum!