…conflict.
…tantrumy husbands.
…tantrumy toddlers.
…which are pretty much the same thing.
…rainy days.
…sad faces.
…loose jeans.
…life.
You know, like HUGE things!
This makes my head spin.
Lots o’ green stuff.
A little peppery and almost neon… this arugula pesto took one of my favorite crispy shrimp dishes to a whole new level last year. Basil pesto, what? I don’t even know you anymore. This was one of the first recipes I ever shared (hellllo freaky pictures) and still makes the top ten of which I whip up just about every month to have on hand.
People… this.is.huge. It rarely happens. Like, never. Because boredom calls to me like a creeper in the night.
And while I think that mac and cheese is simply perfect on it’s own… that whole boredom creep grabs me and sometimes I torture the pasta.
Good torture, I promise.
Like, adding an arugula pesto swirl type of torture.
Otherwise known as… ruining-my-husband’s-side-dish-torture.
Otherwise known as… one of the only things I succeed at in my itty bitty life.
We served this with the maple bourbon pork chops and those brussels sprouts I’ll tell you about later, and holy FLAVOR POP. And while I pretty much watched him attempt to pick out every single solitary speck of pesto (can this be done?), he soon gave up and scarfed it. And was happy.
Leading me to believe that just as I thought… I am always right. Today marriage is great.*
Arugula Pesto and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
serves 4-6
4 cups uncooked whole wheat pasta (smallish pasta works best, like elbow noodles, etc)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
10 ounces freshly grated white cheddar cheese + more for topping
pinch of nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup arugula pesto
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Bring water to a boil and cook pasta according to directions. I always shave a few minutes off the cooking time since it will be going in the oven.
While pasta is cooking, heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once sizzling, add flour and whisk until smooth to create a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until golden and has a nutty aroma. Add milk and cream, bring to a boil while constantly whisking. Reduce heat to low and add cheese, then cook for a few minutes while stirring until cheese is melted and mixture thickens. Add nutmeg, then taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
Add pasta to a baking dish and pour cheese sauce over top. Stir to distribute sauce, then stir in pesto. Top with additional grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until top is golden and bubbly.
Arugula Pesto
4 cups arugula
1/3 cup asiago cheese
3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
In a food processor, combine garlic, arugula and cheese. Pulse until combined. Stream in olive oil a tablespoon at a time until the pesto becomes smooth.
*I made this over a week ago. I’ve since changed my stance.
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This is such a grown up mac n cheese! Yum.
That pesto is the besto! Drool-worthy photos
This is a really sophisticated macaroni and cheese, I think it would be lovely for a dinner party. The color of the pesto is so lively, just gorgeous.
Ah-May-Zing. This looks delicious! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Holy moly this looks like a winner!
Look at the crispy crunchy cheese pieces! Crispy crunchy cheese is my total fav.
Hahahaha, LOVED the starred line at the end!!!!
I really want to try this!! SO, i seem to be utterly spatially challenged today… what size pan do you use to bake it? Kind of looks like 8 x 8 but i don’t trust myself today!
wow, this just looks heavenly. so so good. pesto and mac and cheese = but of course!!!
I love making pesto with arugula. Especially when it’s cold outside and I don’t have a pesto plant (fighting for it’s life and) providing me with fresh basil leaves. I haven’t made it in forever either, so this must be a sign from the pesto gods.
I am completely with you on the magical powers of mac and cheese! Fixes everything! We just had mac with gruyere, nutmeg and bacon last night…loved it! Thanks for yet another delicious recipe to try:)
I’m drooling! Mac & Cheese is my favorite… LOVE. I would soooooo eat up that bowl right now!
This post cracked me up! Mac and cheese is my weakness!!! Can’t wait to try this…I need a food processor!
Arugula makes the world go round, so I think this pesto would make my toes cross. Which may, actually, make my heels more comfortably. It’s all good.
Ooh, yummy! This looks absolutely amazing! I bet it would be delicious using tricolour tortellini, too.
So when can I come over for dinner? I’ll bring my puppy, some red wine, and an old Marilyn Monroe movie. And my sweat pants. See, I can do my part very well.
Oh, gosh. This looks amazing. You’ve done it again!
This looks amazing! I’m a huge white cheddar fan and I’m dying to try this!
Two of my biggest stomach-ache producing ingredients in one dish: wheat and dairy. However, you are such a fabulous recipe developer that you make me want to recreate all of your recipes to be gluten & dairy free. That just shows how talented you are. Your photographs and recipes are always to-die-for!
I wanna hear the story about you changing your stance on marriage! Lol!
ok, i’m new – first time viewer of your blog and i’ve fallen in love with just this post! so happy to be drooling over your blog, thank you!!! now if only i can make something taste good from it
This sounds very fancy, and it is lovely!!! That arugula makes some greeeeen looking pesto! Delish!
YUM! This looks delicious.
That pesto picture is GORGEOUS. The green just pops! Do they have some kind of blog photo awards? ‘Cause that should win it…
Yummy!
Mac and cheese is one of my favorite foods. I think I would eat it if there were tires in it. Fortunately, this one looks much better than the tire version.
You had me with ” Mac and cheese cures all.” – - love. pure cheesy-goodness love.
Omg this looks so good…I really need to purchase a food processor. Just so I can make this. OR maybe I should beg my boyfriend to buy me one…and use this recipe as bribery. Hmmmm…….
Holy cow. I love, love, love sassy spins on classic mac and cheese! Also I love a gal who’s not afraid to use a little heavy cream. It makes everything taste better!
This looks amazing!! Anything with pesto has to be good though!!
i loooove mac & cheese but am always too scared to try variations. this looks awesome with the addition of pesto… love the green
Um, I have like all eight of those problems you just listed. I need some mac n’ cheese.
Grown up mac and cheese, indeed.
I don’t know where you come up with these ideas for inspiration, but I LOVE it. The only problem is that you’re not cooking these for me! You must have tons of food leftover all the time. Right? ….riiiiight?! I will be your official taste-tester ANY day!
See, I don’t think I could make this because my husband wouldn’t just give up and eat it with the pesto. He would just turn up his nose at it (because he has no sense of adventure) and pretend it didn’t exist.
Wait a minute. I’m saying this like it’s a bad thing. More for ME!
your photos are OUTSTANDING!! I’ll take an order of the arugula pesto, please
Yep, this is definitely on the list of dishes-to-make-all-for-myself when the hubs is out of town. The countdown is down to the hours. And the Ruffino chianti is in the backseat of my car.
ooo my word~~this loooks uuuuuhhhh~maaa~zing!!!!
Can’t wait to try this!
I have to add mac and cheese to the things that I miss post about being gluten free, i definitely need to make this with some gluten free pasta and bread crumbs. this looks divine and I cannot wait to try it out!!!
Just made this tonight and it was so tasty! Now what do I do with the rest of my arugula?
Pesto in mac n cheese is so good!
Made it – LOVED it. This was soo good and my husband thought I was a very fancy chef, what with the fancy pesto and all. Thanks for the recipe we’re totally keeping it
Oh my oh my oh my. Made this last night, except I was very very lazy and used TJs regular fresh pesto (I can’t make pesto on a weeknight, we wouldn’t eat til 10!). It was amazing otherwise. Confession: We ate the whole thing, my husband and I. I was never so happy and ashamed at the same time
LOL! If this cures tantrumy husbands and toddlers (I have two…toddlers, not husbands) then count me IN!! We are a newly turned veggie family (sounds very “vampire-y”) and I am on the constant look out for the PERFECT mac and cheese! This looks delicious…pesto and nutmeg are two of my favorite ways to jazz up food! Thank you! Pinning on Pinterest
Excuse my but holy hells and yes please. I need this.
Made this last night for dinner and it was absolutely delicious. Thanks for the great recipe!
You have inspired us! We had a jar of pesto in the fridge so I swirled it through our macaroni cheese as I remembered this recipe from when it was first posted. Husband was horrifed but is now addicted. I’ve had to make it again since! Thank you.
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