[donotprint] I’m smitten with Chef Michael Symon. Not because he is an Iron Chef, Food Network host, or owner of acclaimed restaurants – Lola and Lolita. I actually don’t subscribe to cable so I’ve never watched him on TV. Come to think of it, maybe I’m not actually smitten with him, but I am in love with his bacon mac & cheese. You should know, I’m not a huge mac & cheese fan, so this is saying a lot.
I’ve tried all sorts of mac & cheese recipes and I’ve never tried one this good. It instantly becomes memorable, from the first to the last bite. This recipe by Chef Michael Symon is heavenly, and it even called for rosemary, which I found odd to pair with a bacon mac & cheese. By the way – I’m not a huge rosemary fan either. I don’t mind adding the herb to soups but would never consider adding it to pasta…not ever. And then there were the four cups of heavy cream this recipe called for. I thought this surely was a typo. Four cups of heavy cream for one pound of dry elbow pasta – what the heck??!! But I learned through this recipe that heavy cream can be reduced with prolonged simmering into a very thick sauce without any added thickener.
Finally, there was the Wisconsin Gruyère cheese, which was unbelievably amazing. Yes… I said Wisconsin, Gruyère, and unbelievably amazing.
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has teamed up with Chef Michael Symon to showcase its award-winning Wisconsin Cheeses and his creative recipes on a series of webisodes titled Favorite Foods with Chef Michael Symon. Each week a new webisode and recipe are aired with Chef Michael walking you through each dish from start to finish.
Today’s new webisode is featuring his bacon mac & cheese, which I am also showcasing here on Savory Sweet Life. Let me repeat myself: I love this bacon mac & cheese. It’s all that and then some.
The rosemary was subtle and not overpowering, which I was convinced it would be. I used thick, high-quality applewood-smoked bacon, which is a must if you plan on making this dish. It doesn’t necessarily need to be applewood-smoked bacon, but it does need to be thick and high quality. If you are going to invest the time in this amazing dish then use top-quality ingredients because, in this case, it matters. For this recipe I chose Upland’s Pleasant Ridge Reserve Wisconsin Gruyère, found at Whole Foods. This rich and smooth cheese just won Best of Show at the American Cheese Society Competition in Seattle a few weeks ago, deserving so. It pairs so well with the smoky applewood-bacon.
This dish tastes like something you would order at a very fancy expensive restaurant. It must be served as a main course because it’s just too good to be served as a side. So don’t even try it.
I highly recommend this recipe for mac & cheese lovers and skeptics alike. It will have you smitten, too.
Lastly, to me, this recipe is very gourmet. Young children may find the rosemary and Gruyère cheese too strong for their liking – but Michael states his nephews love it! Adults will surely love it! Enjoy!
Bacon Mac & Cheese with Wisconsin Gruyère
by Chef Michael Symon
Chef Michael Symon revamps this classic comfort food into a grown-up version, enjoyed by all. This recurring request at holidays and parties is simple to make and bursting with flavor. Featuring nutty Wisconsin Gruyère, bacon, macaroni, and rosemary, this smooth and smoky American essential will captivate the taste buds.
Place cream in large saucepan with rosemary. Add salt and pepper. Bring to boil and keep at boil until reduced by half (be patient, this takes some time).
Stir in bacon and pasta and simmer until hot; add the Gruyère cheese and 3 teaspoons pasta water.
Stir until cheese is melted. Garnish with chopped chives. Serve immediately.
Disclosure: Even though this post was sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, I thought this bacon mac & cheese recipe was AMAZING!
For more information about Wisconsin Cheese:
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- - 1 quart (4 cups) heavy cream
- - ½ tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- - Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
- - ½ pound bacon, diced, fried crisp and drained
- - 1 pound elbow macaroni or short hollow pasta, cooked according
- to package directions and drained, reserving 3 teaspoons pasta water
- - 2 cups (8 ounces) Wisconsin Gruyère cheese, grated
- - Chopped chives for garnish
- Place cream in large saucepan with rosemary.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Bring to boil and keep at boil until reduced by half (be patient, this takes some time).
- Stir in bacon and pasta and simmer until hot; add cheese and 3 teaspoons pasta water. Stir until cheese is melted. Garnish with chopped chives. Serve immediately.
This recipe is perfect as is!!! Don’t change it!!! The best Mac & cheese of my life!!!
Andrea,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts about this recipe. This is one of my most favorite ways to make Mac and Cheese. In terms of the change in rosemary amounts, yes I did change it because I found this recipe to be expensive to make. And because rosemary is a strong tasting herb, people noted it was too overpowering. A 1/2 tablespoon is nice because it’s subtle. But when I make it, I make it with 2 tablespoons, similar to you. If you ever get a chance, add lobster or crab. It’s AMAZING!
This recipe is easy and so amazingly creamy and delicious. I always add extra bacon, because… bacon.
I have just one question: I could swear that this recipe used to call for 4 Tbsp of rosemary, not 1/2 Tbsp? Did it change? I started making this with 4 Tbsp fresh, chopped rosemary, but on subsequent attempts, I reduced it to about 2 1/2 Tbsp. It was a nice balance. The rosemary enhanced the flavor without overpowering the dish.
This is calling my name! It looks amazing. I just pinned it and will make it soon. Thanks for the recipe! Yum!
I made this recipe almost the exact way except I used applewood smoked gruyere cheese. The subtle hint of rosemary and the smokiness of the cheese and bacon were a great pairing! Love this recipe and is one of my favorites! Thank you!
Omitted Rosemary and added some Cheddar cheese. Very yummy.
Thanks for this. I made this for a bridal shower and everyone loved it!
Can you replace the cheese with like cheddar or marble jack and still make the sauce the same way or no ?
Lol. I want mac and cheese now. I think i will make some. YES!
Every Christmas, I prepare two new dishes. Michael Symon’s mac and cheese was to die for!!
Made this recipe last night and it is absolutely delicious! The downside (if one can call it that) is that I’ll probably never like “regular” mac-and-cheese again!