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KFC-Inspired Mild Elbow Mac
Melissa Hart

KFC-Inspired Mild Elbow Mac

Soft elbows and a mild, uniform orange cheese sauce are the point of this KFC-inspired side. American cheese does most of the smoothing, with mild cheddar for flavor and a pinch of paprika for color. Cook the pasta fully tender rather than leaving the firmer bite used in baked mac.
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Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 can 12 oz evaporated milk
  • 10 oz American cheese chopped
  • 6 oz mild cheddar freshly shredded
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper

Method
 

  1. Boil the macaroni until fully tender, reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
  2. Melt butter over low heat and stir in evaporated milk.
  3. When steaming but not boiling, add American cheese a handful at a time until smooth.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, salt, paprika and white pepper.
  5. Fold in macaroni and use reserved pasta water to keep the sauce soft and spoonable.