When Pigs Fly Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Do your kids like macaroni and cheese? What kid doesn’t? Elbow’s Macaroni and Cheese in Brea is one of my kids favorite places to have the ultimate mac ‘n cheese experience. The owners of the restaurant recently offered us their secret recipe to their popular dish “When Pigs Fly” for us to share with you!

This macaroni and cheese dish is made with swiss and gruyere cheese with huge pieces of smoked bacon. It was my kids favorite dishes at Elbow’s and we are thrilled to be able to make it at home too! Enjoy this exclusive recipe, and bring your family to dine at Elbow’s Macaroni and Cheese. They are located at 215 West Birch Street in Brea.

WHEN PIGS FLY

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS:

FOR BECHAMEL SAUCE:
3 CUPS WHOLE MILK
1 SMALL ONION HALVED
2 BAY LEAVES
1/4 TEASPOON WHOLE BLACK PEPPERCORNS
2 CLOVES
PINCH NUTMEG
2 OZ UNSALTED BUTTER
2 OZ FLOUR

IN A MEDIUM SAUCE PAN BRING MILK TO A SIMMER ADDING THE ONION, BAY LEAVES, PEPPERCORNS, CLOVES, AND NUTMEG. STIR FREQUENTLY TO PREVENT BOILING OVER. LET THE MILK STEEP FOR 20 MINUTES. STRAIN THE MILK AND DISCARD THE SOLIDS. IN ANOTHER SAUCE PAN MELT THE BUTTER THEN ADD THE FLOUR STIRRING CONSTANTLY FOR ABOUT A MINUTE. WHEN THE MIXTURE IS SLIGHTLY BEIGE AND BUBBLY, INCREASE THE HEAT AND WISK IN THE STRAINED MILK. BRING TO A BOIL, WISKING FREQUENTY. REDUCE HEAT TO A SIMMER TILL THE SAUCE THICKENS.

FOR MAC:
1/2 POUND ELBOW MACARONI COOKED
3 OZ COOKED APPLEWOOD SMOKED BACON LARGE DICED
6 OZ SWISS CHEESE
2 OZ GRUYERE CHEESE
2 OZ MONTEREY JACK CHEESE
2 TEASPOONS KOSHER SALT
PINCH OF WHITE PEPPER

TO THE BECHAMEL SAUCE ADD THE SALT, WHITE PEPPER, BACON AND MACARONI PASTA. STIR FREQUENTLY WHILE HEATING INGREDIENTS. WHEN HEATED TURN OFF THE HEAT AND FOLD IN CHEESE RESERVING ABOUT 2 OZ FOR THE TOP.

FOR BREADCRUMB TOPPING:
3/4 CUP PANKO BREADCRUMBS
2 TABLESPOONS CHOPPED PARSLEY
1 SMALL GARLIC CLOVE MINCED
2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
PINCH OF SALT AND WHITE PEPPER

IN A GREASED 13 x 9 INCH BAKING PAN POUR THE MACARONI MIXTURE AND TOP WITH THE REMAINING CHEESE AND BREADCRUMB TOPPING. BAKE FOR 25 TO 30 TILL THE TOP IS BROWNED AND BUBBLY. ALLOW TO SIT ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN SERVE.