Caprese Mac and Cheese

Serving size:4
Prep Time:
Total Time:
Caprese Mac and Cheese

I’ve added tomato slices to my mac and cheese for a really long time and wanted to amp it up a notch, and since I have a big batch of homemade basil pesto in the fridge I thought it a good idea to add a few dollops. And it was! It was also clear that I was on the path to Caprese deliciousness and decided to add some milky, luscious fior di latte which turned this mac and cheese into something rather special. All in all, this is a fabulous mac and cheese which is great for weeknight dinners but also something I will happily serve to guests.

For the sauce

  • salt, to taste
  • white pepper, to taste
  • 7 tbsp butter
  • 51/3 oz Gruyère cheese/other strong, mature cheese, grated
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup flour
  1. Warm milk with bay leaf, onion and black peppercorns.
  2. To make the sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan then add the flour and whisk to make a roux.
  3. Slowly whisk in the milk until it has been fully incorporated.
  4. Turn the heat down, add the nutmeg and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes.
  5. Turn down the heat then add the cheese, salt and pepper and stir until the cheese has melted.
  6. Mix the sauce with the pasta and add a little of the cooking water should the sauce be too thick.
  7. Pre-heat the oven to 200°c (392°F).

    For the tomato layer

    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 14 oz can whole peeled tomato
    1. To make the tomato layer, add the salt and sugar to the tomatoes and blend with a stick blender until smooth. Pour in the bottom of an oven-proof dish.

      For the mac and cheese

      • 51/3 oz fior di latte (or other mozzarella of your choice)
      • 1/2 cup basil pesto
      • 8 ripe tomatoes, sliced into ½ cm slices
      • 171/2 oz pasta of your choice (I used a spiral shaped tube), cooked + 1 cup of cooking water reserved
      1. Place half of the pasta in the dish on top of the tomatoes then top with half of the tomato slices and cheese. Dollop on the basil pesto.
      2. Top with the remaining pasta.
      3. Top with the remaining tomatoes and cheese then place in the oven.
      4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the tomatoes are roasted slightly and the cheese has melted and is golden brown.
      5. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

      For the full post, visit Simply Delicious.