Rachael Ray: Rachael's Daytime Talkshow

Grilled BLT Mac n’ Cheese Sammies

We celebrated the holidays at the Rachael Ray Show with a cooking contest! Get Associate Producer Katie Chan's potluck contribution below, along with these other contenders:
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Oreo Truffle Balls
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Non-Pretentious PB & J Macaroons
No Jokie Gnocchi Mac n’ Cheese
“GLENNeral Tso’s Chicken”
Corke’s Empanadas
"Betta with Pancetta" Mac and Cheese Cups
Rich’s Latin Style Lasagna
Upside-Down Pumpkin Smoosh
Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts Stuffed with Gorgonzola
Perfect Pumpkin Dip

Ingredients

For the Mac n’ Cheese:
3 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups packed sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup packed American cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated, plus additional for sprinkling on top
2 extra large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 pound bacon, chopped, cooked and drained
12 slices Sourdough bread, Texas Toast or thick-cut white bread
Butter
6 American cheese slices
6 Cheddar cheese slices
A couple handfuls arugula

Yields: 6

Preparation

For the mac 'n cheese: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Cook, whisking occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes until thickened. Add shredded cheeses and stir to melt. Remove from heat and stir in egg yolks, salt, nutmeg and dry mustard. Stir in macaroni and fold in chopped tomatoes and cooked chopped bacon.

Spread mac 'n cheese on a sheet pan so it’s about 1-inch thick. Place in the refrigerator to cool. After mac has chilled, cut into squares slightly smaller than the size of your bread slices and assemble sammies: Butter one side of each slice of bread with butter. Place a slice of American cheese on the non-buttered side of the bread, top with a square of mac 'n cheese, a few leaves of arugula, a slice of cheddar cheese and top with the other slice of buttered bread (buttered side up). Press on a panini press, or grill both sides on a skillet until golden brown. Cut into triangles or in half and enjoy!

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