About The Recipe
This indulgent mac and cheese recipe takes comfort food to the next level with its rich and creamy cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar and Gruyere, paired with a crispy panko crust infused with cannabis butter. The combination of smooth, cheesy pasta and a crunchy, flavorful topping makes this dish a perfect treat for special occasions or a cozy night in. The addition of cannabis butter adds a subtle, earthy note, elevating this classic dish into a gourmet experience.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- A classic mac & cheese recipe with an elevated twist
- Cheesy and creamy macaroni with a crispy panko crust
- Perfect side dish or for enjoying as it’s own meal
- Made with cannabis infused butter aka cannabutter
Ingredient Substitutions
- Elbow macaroni: You can use any pasta you look, but if you want to stick with a classic mac and cheese, opt for the macaroni. I recommend getting a pasta made in Italy as the ingredients will be higher quality and not include any filler ingredients. I find that higher quality pasta doesn’t make me as bloated after eating it. You will most likely have to pay a premium of about $1 more than the cheapest brand on the shelf, but I promise you it’s worth it. Substitute for chickpea pasta if you have a grain or gluten intolerance.
- Extra virgin olive oil: This ingredient totally optional - feel free to use any oil you have at home or skip completely. The purpose of the EVOO is to coat the pasta so it doesn’t get too mushy with the cheese and cream once it’s combined.
- Unsalted regular butter: I recommend using a combination of regular butter and infused butter in the recipe. There are two parts of the recipe that both require butter, so make sure you are deciding in advance how much infused butter you actually want to use for the dish. In total, the recipe will use 10 tbsps of butter so you can use 5 tbsps of regular butter and 5 tbsps of cannabutter, or any combination of the two. It will really depend on the potency of your cannabis butter.
- Cannabutter: For a vegan option, opt for a vegan butter or substitute for olive oil. The final dish won’t have the same taste as a traditional mac & cheese, but it’s. ma great option for those who are vegan or lactose.
- All Purpose Flour: Substitute for almond flour for a grain free option, or even gluten-free oat flour. I wouldn’t recommend using coconut flour as that’s going to overpower the flavour of the dish.
- Whole Milk & Whipping Cream: For dairy free options, use almond milk or oat milk.
- Cheese: I used a combination of a sharp cheddar cheese, gruyere, and parmesan. I like to use cheeses that have different textures, colours, and flavours as it will create a very bold mac and cheese with alot of depth. For a vegan option, use vegan cheese.
- Panko Crumbs: If you don’t have access to panko crumbs, you can use bread crumbs as well. I personally prefer panko because it’s lighter and gets more crispy after being baked. Simply omit this ingredient if you have gluten or grain intolerances.
- Salt, Pepper, Paprika: Feel free to use any combination of seasonings that you like. Remember not to oversalt as the cheese will already be naturally salty!
TIPS & TRICKS
- Cook the pasta until it’s 1 minute before al dente. If you overcook it, it will become too mushy after the pasta goes into the oven.
- For layers of cheese in every bite, add half the pasta into the baking dish and then layer with cheese. Then add more pasta on top. And then add a final layer of cheese.
Recipe
SERVINGS: 6-8
TIME REQUIRED: 45 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
Mac & Cheese
- 4 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2 cups gruyere cheese (shredded)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Panko Crust
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 1.5 cups panko crumbs
- 4 tbsp melted cannabis butter
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Lightly grease a 4 quart baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Cook it 1 minute before it becomes al dente. Remove from the heat, rinse in cold water and drain. Set aside in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the pasta with extra virginal olive oil and toast.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter.
- Whisk in flour and allow the mixture to bubble.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Continue whisking until you see the mixture bubble.
- Add salt and pepper to the mixture.
- Gradually added half of each of the shredded cheeses. Whisk until creay and smooth.
- Turn off the heat and pour the pasta into the cheesy mixture. Mix until the pasta is fully coated with cheese.
- Pour half of the mac and cheese into the baking dish. Layer with cheese. Repeat until all the cheese and pasta are in the dish.
- In a small bowl, combine panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, melted butter, and paprika.
- Drizzle the toppings on top of the pasta.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top of the pasta is golden brown.
Note: If you do not have a cannabis infusion machine, refer to this article on how to infuse using the traditional oven and stove top method. Otherwise, you can get 10% off LEVO cannabis infusion devices with my link.
FAQ
Q: Can I use a different type of cheese instead of Gruyere?
A: Yes, you can substitute Gruyere with other cheeses like Fontina, Swiss, or even Mozzarella if you prefer a milder flavor. Each cheese will bring a unique taste and texture to your mac and cheese.
Q: Can I make this recipe without the cannabis butter?
A: Absolutely! If you prefer to make a non-infused version, simply replace the cannabis butter with regular unsalted butter. The dish will still be rich and delicious without the cannabis infusion.
Hey I’m Anna, also known as Cannabinista™
I’m a cannabis content creator, recipe developer, and enthusiast for the ancient plant. I’ve dedicated my platforms to helping you create a healthy relationship with cannabis through mindful consumption and providing education that resonates with the modern consumer.
My ultimate goal is to debunk traditional stoner stereotypes and myths, by showcasing the world of cannabis through my POV.
