EasyPeasie BBQ Mac and Cheese Recipe

First, here's your quick and "easy peasy" recipe... 

Add 2 tablespoons of EasyPeasie Natural Blend to your favorite ready-made mac and cheese mix. Finish cooking as instructed. Easy peasie ;)

And here's your detailed recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 pound pasta (such as penne, cavatappi, or rotini)
• 1 (8-oz.) package shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (8-oz.) package shredded Gouda cheese
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
• 1 teaspoon Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon EasyPeasie Natural Blend
• 1 teaspoon EasyPeasie Red Blend
• 1 1/2 cups cornbread croutons, crushed
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat broiler with oven rack 8 to 9 inches from heat.
2. Pasta Preparation: Prepare pasta a little over “al dente” according to package instructions.
3. Sauce Base: Microwave your milk for 1 minute in a microwave-safe bowl. While milk is heating, melt butter in a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; add flour and Montreal steak seasoning, and cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the hot milk. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a low boil, whisking often for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Cheese Sauce Creation: Reduce heat to medium and cook sauce, whisking often for 3-4 additional minutes. Whisk in cheeses, hot sauce, and EasyPeasie Natural Blend. Stir cheese sauce occasionally until cheese has melted and sauce has thickened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
5. Cornbread Topping: Stir together cornbread and olive oil. Add a dash or two additional EasyPeasie Natural or Green Blend, toss until cornbread crumbs are moist.
6. Assemble and Bake: Drain pasta, and fold into cheese sauce. Pour macaroni and cheese mixture into a 9” x 13” baking dish, sprinkle the top with the cornbread mixture; sprinkle green onions over the cornbread mixture. In another bowl, combine EasyPeasie Red Blend and barbecue sauce and set aside.
7. Broil and Serve: Broil cornbread-covered mac and cheese for 1 to 2 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown. Drizzle with the barbecue sauce mixture. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tip: The addition of EasyPeasie Natural and Red Blends boosts the nutritional value of this classic comfort dish by adding 3/4 cup extra veggie nutrition per pan. The combination of BBQ and cheesy goodness is sure to be a hit with the whole family!

"Reci-pea" created for EasyPeasie by Chef Ze' (Mount Dora, FL)