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Crispy Herb Stuffing Topped Mac and Cheese

This is not your average ultra cheesy mac and cheese. Or your basic stuffing. This is the ultimate holiday side dish where these two classics create a rich, cheesy macaroni base topped with a buttery and herby crust. Your holiday table will never be the same.
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the topping
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 stalk of celery, finely diced
  • 2 cups 1/2 inch cubes of bread
  • 3 tbsp panko
  • 1 tsp fresh chopped thyme, plus one sprig
  • 1 tsp fresh chopped sage
  • 1 tsp fresh chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
For the mac and cheese
  • 1 lb pasta
  • 5 tbsps butter
  • 5 tbsps all purpose flour
  • 2 cups warm milk
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cubed triple cream brie, rind removed

Method
 

For the stuffing topping:
  1. In a medium skillet, melt the butter and add the shallot, carrot and celery. Saute until vegeetables are soft, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. In a mixing bowl, add the vegeetables and mix with the bread and panko. Stir in the thyme, sage and parsley. Stir in the butter and broth and mix until incorporated. Set aside.
For the mac and cheese
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot or Dutch oven with salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain well and sprinkle olive oil on it. Set aside
  3. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let cook/bubble for 1 minute, whisking. Gradually whisk in the milk and cream then raise the heat up to medium. Add a sprig of thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer whisking frequently until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Remove from the heat and take out the sprig of thyme. Stir in 2 cups of the cheddar cheese and brie. Stir until the cheese is fully melted. Stir in the pasta and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  5. Evenly sprinkle the remaingn 1/2 cup cheese and then the stuffing over top. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the stuffing is golden brown and the mac and cheese is bubbling.
  6. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes and then serve.