I remember the first time I ever had Kentucky Hot Brown. I fell in love with it right then. I had it at a friend’s house. She shared the recipe with me and I’ve been enjoying it for years now. I never saw it on a restaurant menu until a cool little restaurant, the Blue Canoe, opened in town a couple of years ago. I can’t help but order it every time we go. I don’t know if it’s a popular dish for them, but I sure love it.
I wanted all of the wonderful flavors in a pasta dish, because, let’s face it, I could live off pasta! I kind of deconstructed the traditional Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich and replaced the bread with cheesy pasta. Ok, so, you could just mix everything together and call it a casserole. But, it’s so much more than that! It’s layers of creamy, cheesy, salty, smoky, crunchy goodness. Layer it. Make it pretty. Savor it.
The tomato is really more than a garnish. It adds a little acidity to all the creaminess.
Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Original recipe from Paula at CallMePMc.com
Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni, prepared according to package directions
- 2 T butter
- 2 T self-rising flour
- 2 c milk
- 2 c shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
- 6 oz ham steak, cubed
- 1 chicken breast, cubed
- 6 slices bacon
- salt and pepper
- 4 or 5 slices sourdough bread, cut into cubes
- 2 T vegetable oil
- Roma tomato
Instructions
- Salt and pepper cubed chicken breast. Heat a skillet on med-high. Add chicken cook 2 to 3 minutes on first side then toss and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes on the second side until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Remove from skillet.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
- Add ham cubes to hot skillet and just heat through. Remove from skillet
- Cook bacon to crisp. Remove from skillet and chop.
- Add oil to skillet. Add bread cubes to skillet and toast tossing until all sides are browned. Remove from skillet.
- In a large pan, melt 2 T butter. Add flour and cook 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Add milk and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer until it begins to thicken. (It will not get really thick) Add cheese and stir until cheese melts.
- Add pasta to cheese sauce; stir to combine.
- I like to serve in individual dishes, you can plate on one large platter if you prefer. Spoon pasta on dish. Top with chicken, ham, bacon and bread. Add 1 or 2 slices of tomato on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe from Paula @CallMePMc.com All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission that includes copying the ingredient list or entire recipe and posting in the comments on Pinterest. If you want to share this recipe, please simply link back to this post for the recipe. Thank you, Paula
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This looks so yummy. I’ve never had a Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich, but it sure sounds good too. I’m stopping by from Sweet Sharing Monday to show some love and thank you for sharing!
I’ve never heard of Kentucky Hot Brown, but WOW, this looks amazing! I’m always up for trying new things. Thanks, Paula!
I LUVVVVV Kentucky Hot Brown, you def have to try this mac n cheese or the real sandwich, you’ll like it!
Saw this on all my bloggy friends- what a tasty treat! I’ve never had a Kentucky Hot Brown but obviously I’ve been missing out. Yum!
oh, yes, it’s my favorite, you’ve got to try either the traditional version or my mac n cheese, it’ll be a new fav! 🙂
This looks fantastic. I cannot wait to try it and I know my family will go crazy!
Thank you, I’m a sucker for anything cheesy!
I could live off pasta as well…any shape or form! I’m in love with this! And, my boys would be, too. Already pinned. (ps…your pics rock! Makes me want to reach in and take a bite!)
This sounds delicious, but it is a far cry from a Kentucky Hot Brown. I live less than three miles from the Brown Hotel where this recipe originated, and it is made with turkey, not chicken…and there is no ham. I will try your recipe though, because it sounds like something I would really like!
Yep, I usually use turkey and I just like the ham for extra flavor.
Well that looks and sounds FABULOUS! Have never heard of Kentucky Hot Brown, so I’ll have to research to find out the origin. Inquiring minds want to know! (BTW – found you on Sharefest!)
I should research the origins actually too, I LOVE it though!
This looks INCREDIBLE! I live in Kentucky yet I have never had a Kentucky Hot Brown, that clearly needs to change!
oh, I just love the KY Hot Brown, you should try one, I need to research the origins and I love this mac n cheese, but then again, I love most mac and cheese recipes! Thanks for stopping by!
I have never had Kentucky Hot Brown, but I’m thinking I need to try it! Thanks so much for linking up to All My Bloggy Friends this week! 🙂
Okay, so I’ve never tried a Kentucky Hot Brown, but you have me convinced that I need to remedy that, STAT! And adding it to mac & cheese sounds brilliant…thanks for sharing, Paula!
You’l love it, of course any mac n cheese is good imo
YUM! I love Mac and Cheese! I’ve never tried a Kentucky Hot Brown before but it must be good if it’s anything like this mac and cheese! Thanks for sharing on Saturday Night Fever! Pinning now!
Kentucky Hot rown is too good! I love your party!
Paula, send me some of this stat! It looks so good! And I’m such a sucker for mac n cheese! Do. Want. NOW! Pinned! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Julie. I totally agree, love me som Mac n Cheese
This looks like my kind of mac and cheese! Yummy yum!
Thank you, Pamela!