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Mac and Cheese Pesto Grilled Cheese

Mac and Cheese Pesto Grilled Cheese

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Course Entree, lunch
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

For the Asiago Gouda Mac and Cheese

  • `1 pound Elbow Macaroni
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp Flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 4 oz Asiago
  • 4 oz Gouda
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/2 tbsp Mustard Powder
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper

For the Sandwich

  • 6 slices Fresh Bread
  • 1 Chicken Breast
  • 3 tbsp Pesto
  • 6 oz Fresh Mozzarella
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan

Instructions
 

Prepare the Mac and Cheese

  • Cook pasta according to package directions in well salted water.
  • Grate asiago and gouda.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • When butter starts to look foamy, add flour and mix well. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Slowly add warmed milk to the butter mixture 1/4 cup at a time. Whisk it continually until combined. 
  • Stir in pepper and mustard powder.
  • Once all of the milk is added, cook for a few minutes while whisking it. Do not let it boil. You will feel the sauce start to thicken. It’s ready for cheese when you rub a small amount between your fingers and it feels silky.
  • Remove from heat and stir in your cheese until it’s melted and mixed into the sauce.
  • Once the cheese is incorporated, use a cooked noodle to taste your sauce. If it doesn’t taste cheesy enough try adding a little more salt to bring out the flavor.
  • Combine pasta and sauce and set to the side.

Build your Sandwich

  • Slice bread into thick slices.
  • Slice fresh mozzarella.
  • Thinly slice cooked chicken breast and stir pesto in until the chicken is fully coated.
  • Preheat your skillet and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan before placing a slice of bread.
  • Top with a spoonful of mac and cheese. You want enough to cover the slice, but not so much that it will be difficult to eat later.
  • Cover the mac and cheese with slices of mozzarella.
  • Spoon on a layer of pesto chicken.
  • Add another layer of mozzarella.
  • Top with your final slice of bread. Press the sandwich with a spatula and allow to cook for a minute or two.
  • Once the bottom slice of bread is toasted, flip your entire sandwich onto another tablespoon of grated parmesan to coat the other side.
  • Once the final side is brown and your mozzarella is melted, remove from heat.
  • Wrap in parchment paper and serve with a side of extra mac and cheese.
Keyword asiago, chicken, gouda, grilled cheese, pesto