Hot Mac & Cheese with Creamy Everclear Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, spicy. This recipe from Bringing It Home combines your favorite things for a warm, comforting meal.

Ingredients

3 tbsp butter or Ghee
3 oz Everclear Grain Alcohol
4 Serranos/Jalapeños, chopped
(seeded and deveined for less heat)
2 1/2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni or your
choice of pasta
3 cups grated cheese
(Mozzarella, Cotija, & Romano mix)
Cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Fresh cilantro and additional red
pepper flakes, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter
and Everclear. Add the chopped peppers and
sautee until lightly golden.

2. Add the flour and half of the milk mixture,
stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Cook
until the mixture thickens(2-3 min), then add
the remaining milk mixture, salt, and pepper,
stirring until thickened (about 2-3 minutes).

3. Add the water and bring to a boil. Add the
pasta and cook until almost done, then add the
grated cheese and bacon.

4. Once the cheese is melted, transfer the mac
and cheese to a cast-iron pot and broil in the
oven for 3-5 minutes until the top is seared
and crispy.\

5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and additional red
pepper flakes, if desired.