foodie fridays: cajun mac and cheese rustic tart
“Welcome to Foodie Fridays! Embark on a culinary journey with our Cajun Mac and Cheese Rustic Tart. A delightful fusion of flavors that adds a gourmet touch to your Friday dining experience.”
Growing up, I drank a glass of milk every day.
I wasn’t so much interested in scoring nutritional points, but simply loved the way a cold glass of milk tasted. Okay, that and I really wanted to be on the milk mustache billboards. Got milk? Um, duh.
Even though my milk consumption didn’t earn me a celebrity status, I still believe in the magical powers of milk. Did you know that milk is the number one source of calcium, vitamin D, and potassium? Not just milk, but dairy foods are also a great way to consume up to eight grams of protein in your daily diet. No way? Yes, way!
Recently, the American Dairy Association approached 11 food bloggers and myself, to create dairy themed recipes. We were on it like poured milk over cereal. For example, everyone loves a good mac and cheese recipe because it’s chocked full of gooey cheese. Well, I thought it would be fun to take a traditional mac and cheese and turn into a tart. This Cajun Mac and Cheese Rustic Tart is a great recipe for any holiday party or recipe exchange because all you need to do is bake and slice. Plus, the spice for the andouille sausage really makes this tart holiday worthy.
But the Cajun Mac and Cheese Rustic Tart isn’t the only thing that will spice up your holiday. Remember tis’ the season for giving, friends! American Dairy Association Mideast is committed to the health and wellness of Americans and wants to ensure everyone has a healthy meal this holiday season.
Did you know that of the pounds of food available in food banks, only 5.3% are dairy? Thus, the American Dairy Association Mideast has decided to donate $1 to Feeding America; meaning, $1 for every “like”, comment or share that each of the bloggers’ 12 recipes receive on their Facebook page between Dec. 6 and 13th. How cool is that? That means we need YOU. So go “like” and give a little!
Also, don’t forget to join us next Thursday, December 12th @ 9pm EST for our Big Holiday Potluck Twitter Chat. We’ll be discussing recipe ideas, entertaining, tips, and how to have a “Moo”-ry Holiday! You don’t want to miss out!
Disclosure: I was compensated American Dairy Association Mideast for this post. All my opinions expressed are 100% my own.
Cajun Mac and Cheese Rustic Tart
Ingredients:
1 store bought pie crust
1 1/2 cups andouille sausage, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese, grated (+more for garnish)
2 pieces bacon, cooked, chopped, garnish
1 egg, cracked and mixed, for egg wash
Parsley, garnish
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees.
In a medium skillet preheated to medium heat, add olive oil and andouille sausage. Saute for a couple of minutes until brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a small saucepan preheated to medium heat, melt unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux. Keep whisking until well incorporated and then add milk, bring to a boil. Keep whisking until sauce starts to thicken. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cheddar cheese, dash of salt and pepper. Stir until the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Pour sauce into bowl with pasta and andouille sausage. Stir to combine.
Roll out pie dough on a baking sheet. Place about 2 cups of the Cajun mac and cheese into the middle. Take the pie and fold the dough border over the filling to form an 9-inch round leaving the mac and cheese exposed in the center. Brush the pie edges with egg wash and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, bacon, and parsley!
“Conclude your Foodie Fridays with the savory satisfaction of Cajun Mac and Cheese Rustic Tart. It’s a deliciously unique twist that leaves your taste buds craving more gourmet delights.”
Mac and cheese stuffed in a tart…this is like the best Christmas gift ever! Might have to change my dinner plans!
Well hot damn… this just melted my heart!!! I need!
Fat kid seal of approval
Mac and cheese encrusted in buttery pie dough. Yep, Friday just got better.
Girl, this is moo-velous (forgive me). Just when I thought mac and cheese couldn’t get any better, you went and put it in a crust. EPIC.
I’m legit about to drool. I want this in my face, stat.
Ok, this is seriously beautiful! On top of that, these flavors are to die for!!
Holy smokes!! This looks awesome!
I love that you found a way to add more carbs to mac and cheese! You’re my hero
Carbs inside of carbs… Where do I sign up!
SAY WHAT. Macaroni cheese TART?! The fat kid inside me is positively longing for this!! I think I might just let her out and indulge her
Oh man, we drank SO MUCH MILK growing up. Even now my parents will pour us all big glasses of milk if we eat dinner at their house. I occasionally get cravings for milk and everything. Needless to say, I can definitely get behind all the cheesy goodness in a beautiful tart like this! All dairy all the time!
About how many people does one tart serve? If cooking for 4 should I make 2 tarts? Thanks! Looks delicious!
Hi Lindsay! I think one tart could serve four depending on the hunger level:)
Nothing better than mac and cheese! Yum!
Oh come on!! This is just insanely incredible. Pie dough and mac and cheese? Count me in!
This tart is amazing! You’ve really outdone yourself here!
This is so incredible!!
Oh boy, oh boy! I just made a ginormous pan of homemade Mac + Cheese two nights ago. I may try to turn some leftovers into this! Love me some dairy!
Katey – you totally should!!!
Umm yea…..This is too delicious looking!
Sounds so yummy!
I am a huge fan of dairy. I’m also a huge fan of eating mac and cheese in all possible ways and forms. So you’ve pretty much made my weekend with this!
Gosh, I didn’t think mac and cheese could get any better but I think you’ve managed it!
Wow, what an awesome dish – this looks SO delicious!!
You win the award for most ingenious mac and cheese recipe I have seen this year… and I’ve seen a lot! The cajun spices sound great, but I especially love that you baked it into a tart… I am going to have to try that sometime! Yum!
I am all over this!! yummeee.
Since I live in Germany, it’s super hard to find cheddar cheese. What would you suggest as a substitute since you said you are a word traveler then you might have an idea? Plus that type of sausage is also not familiar here. What could I add to the sausage for that flavor? Thanks from far away!
The cajun mac and cheese is so good looking! Puting it in a tart makes it incredible!
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