Ingredients

  • 2 whole Poblano Peppers, Stemmed And Halved Lengthwise (don't Seed)
  • 1 whole Jalapeno Pepper, Stemmed And Halved Lengthwise (don't Seed)
  • 1 pound Tomatillos, Husks Removed, Rinsed, Pierced In A Few Places With A Sharp Knife Point
  • 1/4 cups Roughly Chopped Cilantro
  • 1/2 whole Habanero Pepper, Stemmed And Chopped Small
  • 1 whole Roma Tomato, Seeded And Chopped (or Other Small Tomato)
  • 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Red Onion
  • 1/2 whole Green Pepper, Diced
  • 1/2 cans (4 Oz. Size) Diced Green Chilies
  • 1 pinch Kosher Or Sea Salt
  • 1 dash Ground Black Pepper
  • 8 ounces, weight Mild Cheddar, Grated (yellow For Color)
  • 4 ounces, weight Havarti Cheese, Grated
  • 3 ounces, weight Creamy Gouda Cheese, Grated (not Aged)
  • 1/2 pounds Thick Cut Bacon
  • 1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream (do Not Substitute Milk Or Half-and-Half)
  • 1/4 teaspoons Sea Or Kosher Salt, Plus More For The Water
  • 1/4 teaspoons Ground White Or Black Pepper
  • 1 pound Gluten-free Brown Rice Penne Pasta

Method

  • Note: Prep time above includes inactive time of roasting salsa veggies and bringing cheese to room temperature.
  • Active prep time is about 1 hour.
  • Feel free to omit the salsa and just make the mac and cheese, with or without bacon!
  • Remove the cheeses from the refrigerator to stand at room temperature for one hour.
  • Leave one cup of grated cheddar in the refrigerator.
  • Preheat oven to 450 F. In an old, well-seasoned rimmed baking pan (it will get dirty from the sugars in the tomatillo juices), place poblano and jalapeno peppers, cut side up, and the whole tomatillos.
  • Roast for about 30 minutes, turning the tomatillos and rotating the pan halfway through.
  • The peppers will blacken and the tomatillos should turn at least golden.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Allow to cool slightly.
  • Pan fry the bacon (in a skillet over medium low heat, turning occasionally) while the salsa vegetables roast.
  • Then remove it from the skillet and drain bacon on a couple layers of paper towels.
  • Chop bacon into bite sized pieces, about 1/2 inch in size (not bacon bits) and set aside.
  • To finish the salsa, discard the juices from the pan with the vegetables, roughly chop the tomatillos and roasted peppers, and place in a food processor or blender.
  • Add cilantro and habanero pepper and pulse about 10 times, until the mixture is chopped but still chunky.
  • Stir in tomato, red onion, green pepper, canned chilies, salt, and pepper (to taste).
  • Youll need half the prepared salsa for the mac and cheesethe rest can be stored in the refrigerator up to a week.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 375 F. Heat a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and make the cheese sauce in the meantime.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat cream over medium.
  • Continue to raise heat, if needed, so the cream just begins to boil softly.
  • A skin may form on the surface, which is fineyou dont need to stir.
  • Turn off heat.
  • Add the grated, room temperature cheeses and the salt and pepper to the hot cream and whisk quickly until the cheese is completely melted, a couple minutes.
  • Set aside.
  • Once the water boils, add pasta and cook according to package instructions for al dente.
  • Heres my exact timing (using Trader Joes brown rice penne): set timer for 6 minutes and 30 seconds, maintaining high heat and returning to a boil.
  • Turn off heat and allow pasta to sit in the water for 30 more seconds, then drain, but dont rinse.
  • Pasta should be quite al dente.
  • It will continue to cook in the oven, and the worst thing you can do to gluten-free noodles is overcook them.
  • Remove 3/4 cups of the cheese sauce from the pan you prepared it in.
  • To the remaining sauce, add the pasta and the chopped bacon.
  • Stir well.
  • To assemble, distribute mac and cheese amongst four large ramekins or pour into a medium sized (1.5 to 2 quart size) casserole dish.
  • Pour remaining cheese sauce over the top.
  • Spread 1/4 cup of the green salsa over each ramekin (or 1 cup over the casserole), if using.
  • Top with the remaining cup of refrigerated grated cheddar.
  • Place ramekins on a baking tray for easier handling.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes, or until cheddar is melted and beginning to brown.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Cool for 5 minutes.
  • If serving in ramekins, place each on a plate or potholder and be sure to caution your diners about the hot vessels!