Buffalo Chicken Mac ‘N Cheese

Did you know that March is Nutrition Month?  What a great time to incorporate some cheese into your family diet!  Cheese is a nutritious source of calcium, protein, vitamin B12 and more with the added bonus of being irresistibly good. 

This incredible recipe for Buffalo Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese is a gourmet macaroni and cheese filled with 3 different types of artisan Canadian cheese from Salerno and Ivanhoe.  I took my mothers Macaroni and cheese recipe and took it up about 8 levels to create a new family favourite recipe.  Even my two toddlers couldn’t get enough of it!

 

Gay Lea’s Ivanhoe Cheese has an enviable reputation for its high quality, aged cheddar cheese and specialty cheeses.  Ivanhoe is actually the oldest cheese company of its kind in Canada, and it still remains a local attraction in the hamlet of Ivanhoe!  They specialize in award-winning artisan cheddars, as well as an extensive selection of specialty cheeses including Naturally Smoked Gouda and flavoured Monterey Jacks. They even offer Kosher and Halal varieties.

My recipe features the Old Sharpe Cheddar Cheese from Ivanhoe and it literally melts in your mouth it is so creamy.  The cheese sauce in my recipe literally would not be the same made with any other cheese.

Gay Lea’s Salerno Cheese is well known for their high quality, traditional Italian cheeses.  They were actually founded back in 1962 in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario!   From mozzarella, mascarpone, and bocconcini to pecorino, Salerno delivers a special mix of cheeses that blends perfectly with the farmer-owned co-operative at Gay Lea.

 

Buffalo Chicken Mac ‘N Cheese

Ingredients:

4 Cups Elbow Macaroni
1 Cup Milk
1/2 to 3/4 package of Ivanhoe Old Sharpe Cheddar Cheese
1 Cup Buffalo Wing Sauce + 1/4 Cup reserved
1 Cup Cooked Chicken, Cubed
2 Cups Salerno Peperonato, Shredded
1 Cup Blue Cheese, Crumbled

 

 

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.

 Cook macaroni according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, in a medium stockpot over medium-high heat, scald your milk then remove from heat.

Stir cheese into your milk until melted then stir in buffalo sauce.

Pour cheese sauce into the bottom of a casserole dish.

Layer into the casserole dish the cooked macaroni, Peperonato and chicken alternating until the casserole dish is filled being sure to finish it off with a layer of cheese.

Pop in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese topping is lightly browned.

Remove from oven and top with reserved Buffalo Sauce and Blue Cheese.

Place back in the oven for 5-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

 

 

If some members of your family do not enjoy spice, simply use two smaller casserole dishes and pour half the cheese sauce into one before adding the buffalo sauce to the rest.  You will end up with a delicious gourmet mac and cheese for any palate!

 

For more information about Gay Lea including more great recipes be sure to visit the Gay Lea website. Gay Lea also sends out a monthly newsletter featuring great content, tips and coupons.  Subscribe for all the latest!

 

 

Disclosure: I am part of the Gay Lea Ambassador Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.