Sauce-And-Meatballs Mac and Cheese With Burrata

Submitted by CHEF GRPA

"There’s something about mac and cheese that makes it hard not to love. For one, it’s comforting, a quality most Americans love in their meals. A mac and cheese’s velvety, smooth sauce always has the ability to soothe anyone’s soul. It’s also easy — it may take one or two pots to put together, but the concept is straightforward and it makes it a cinch to feed a crowd. The best part about mac and cheese, though, is that it’s versatile. Whether you’re feeding a hungry group of meat eaters or vegetarians, or serving it as a main or a side dish, there’s a way to make it so that everyone at the table will be licking their lips. Mac and cheese is a beloved favorite for many! Happy Cooking !!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 20
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• Meatballs

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1⁄4 cup ricotta cheese, drained if watery
• 8 ounces ground pork
• 1 ounce aged asiago cheese, finely grated
• 1 -2 slice or 1 -2 slice sourdough bread, torn into very small pieces
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• Mac and Cheese

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 ounces large elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup milk (whole or reduced-fat)
• 6 ounces taleggio cheese, rind removed and cut into bite-size pieces
• 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cups canned tomato sauce
• 8 ounces burrata cheese, cut into bite-size pieces*

directions

1. Meatball:

2. 1. Preheat the oven to 425*F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat it with a thin layer of olive oil.
3. 2. Measure out 1/2 the beaten egg and discard it or reserve for another use. In a medium bowl, whisk the ricotta and the remaining egg together until combined.
4. 3. Put the remaining meatball ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix with your hands or, if you prefer, a wooden spoon. Be careful not to overmix or the meatballs will be tough. Add the egg mixture and stir to combine.
5. 4. Using about 1 teaspoon of the mixture at a time, form the balls in your hand (you may need to put a little olive oil on your hands to keep the mixture from sticking too much). You want the meatballs to be just ½-inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6. 5. Cook the meatballs in the oven for 10-12 minutes, stirring once or twice, until they are well browned but not hard. Remove from the oven and set aside. Turn the oven down to 375*F.

7. Mac and Cheese:

8. 1. Butter an 8-inch square (1½-quart) baking dish or pan (or six 8-ounce ramekins). Set aside.
9. 2. Fill a 4- to 5-quart pot about 3/4 full with water and add 1 tablespoon of the salt. Bring to a boil and add the pasta. Cook, stirring once or twice, until tender but firm, 6-8 minutes, and drain.
10. 3. Using the same pot you used to cook the pasta, melt the butter over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the flour and stir constantly until a paste forms, 30-45 seconds. Continue stirring for 1-2 minutes more, until the mixture starts to darken slightly and smell a bit nutty. Slowly whisk in the cream, milk, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and cook until the mixture starts to thicken and is just beginning to bubble around the edges, 5-7 minutes. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Add the Taleggio, mozzarella, and cayenne. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth but not too runny. It should be similar in texture to cake batter. If it’s soupy, continue cooking until it thickens. Add the pasta and meatballs and stir to combine.
11. 4. To assemble, spread about 1 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of the pan. Pour the pasta mixture into the pan. Pour the remaining tomato sauce on top of the pasta and top with the burrata. Place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until bubbling and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.
12. *The burrata may fall apart when cutting, but don't worry about it.