Mac n' cheese made with a creamy goat cheese and fresh rosemary cheese sauce; topped with buttery Italian bread crumbs.
Sometimes all it takes is just a small taste of something and my mind starts wandering with all of the different combinations of food I could possibly make. Such is the case with this Rosemary & Goat Cheese Mac n' Cheese.
I attended a small gathering recently to celebrate a close family friends' 75th birthday. At the party they had figs topped with goat cheese, rosemary and a jam.
I can't remember what it was, but think it might have been apples as one of the appetizers. They were amazing!
I just loved the flavor combination and knew it would make a wonderful mixture in some other of our favorite dishes as well.
How do you make Rosemary and Goat Cheese Mac n' Cheese?
For this recipe you'll need macaroni, butter, all purpose flour, milk, cream cheese, crumbled Goat cheese, fresh rosemary, Italian breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F; then cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; then drain and place back in the pot.
While the pasta is cooking, melt some butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; then whisk in the flour to form a roux.
Gradually add the milk until the roux has broken up and there are no lumps; then add both cheeses and chopped rosemary. Keep whisking until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
Add the sauce to the cooked macaroni and mix well; then place in an oven safe baking dish (8"x8"). Place the breadcrumbs in a small bowl; then melt the remaining butter.
Add the butter to the breadcrumbs, mix together and sprinkle on top of the macaroni.
Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the breadcrumbs are lightly brown and the macaroni is bubbly.
Well, my first attempt at making this Rosemary and Goat Cheese Mac n' Cheese was a success! Everyone loved this variation; even my 11 year old.
Even she was pleasantly surprised that it contained Goat cheese; which she never wanted to try before. Mixed with the cream cheese and rosemary, it was very subtle, yet rich and filling.
If you want to impress your family and friends, you can make this as a main entree or as a side dish. It would also make an elegant addition to a buffet selection during the upcoming holidays. ~Enjoy!
Visit the recipe index to search for more recipes by category.
More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
- Cheddar Ale Mac n' Cheese
- Bacon & Cheddar Mac n' Cheese
- Broccoli Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
- Pesto Mac n' Cheese
- Chorizo Macaroni and Cheese
- Three Cheese Mac n' Cheese
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Rosemary & Goat Cheese Mac n' Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Macaroni (or other pasta)
- 4 tbsp. Butter
- 2 tbsp. All-Purpose Flour
- 1 ½ c. Milk (I used 2%)
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese
- 3.5 oz. Crumbled Goat Cheese
- 1 tbsp. Fresh Rosemary, chopped
- 1 c. Italian Flavored Breadcrumbs
- Kosher Salt & Fresh Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; then drain and place back in the pot.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tbsp. of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; then whisk in the flour forming a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until the roux has broken up and there are no lumps.
- Next, add the cream cheese, goat cheese and rosemary. Keep whisking until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the sauce to the cooked macaroni and mix well; then place in an oven safe baking dish (8"x8").
- Place the breadcrumbs in a small bowl; then melt the remaining 2 tbsp. butter (either in the microwave or a small pan). Add the butter to the breadcrumbs, mix together and sprinkle on top of the macaroni.
- Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the breadcrumbs are lightly brown and the macaroni is bubbly.
Carrie - ASassyRedhead.com says
I should be ashamed to admit I just recently had rosemary in a meal. At first I wasn't sure, then after a couple of bites....it really made the dish.
This looks like an easy way to fancy-up an old favorite!
Carrie Farias says
You're welcome! Rosemary is one of my go-to herbs. It really adds a nice woodsy flavor to recipes.
Shiloh Barkley says
Love this mac n cheese combo!
Carrie Farias says
Thanks Shiloh, we really enjoyed it as well!
Beverley says
I'm always looking for new and fresh ideas for Mac N Cheese and you've done it. Thank you xoxo
Carrie Farias says
Even the girls liked it! xo
Rachael says
Can I substitute the milk for a non-dairy milk? And a Gluten free flour?
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen says
Hi Rachael, I haven't tried it that way so I'm not sure if the sauce will thicken properly. If you decide to try it, please let me know if it comes out alright.