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
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
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Your Menu:
Oriental Salad with Sweet & Sour Dressing
Pamela says
This looks like my kind of mac and cheese! Yummy yum!
Paula says
Thank you, Pamela!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
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! 🙂
Paula says
Thanks for sharing, Julie. I totally agree, love me som Mac n Cheese
Jen Nikolaus says
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!
Paula says
Kentucky Hot rown is too good! I love your party!
Samantha @ Five Heart Home says
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!
Paula says
You’l love it, of course any mac n cheese is good imo
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
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! 🙂
Stephanie says
This looks INCREDIBLE! I live in Kentucky yet I have never had a Kentucky Hot Brown, that clearly needs to change!
Paula says
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!
lee aldrich says
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!)
Paula says
I should research the origins actually too, I LOVE it though!
Ruth M says
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!
Paula says
Yep, I usually use turkey and I just like the ham for extra flavor.
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
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!)
carolinaheartstrings says
This looks fantastic. I cannot wait to try it and I know my family will go crazy!
Paula says
Thank you, I’m a sucker for anything cheesy!
Sarah says
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!
Paula says
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! 🙂
Becca from ItsYummi.com says
I’ve never heard of Kentucky Hot Brown, but WOW, this looks amazing! I’m always up for trying new things. Thanks, Paula!
Paula says
I LUVVVVV Kentucky Hot Brown, you def have to try this mac n cheese or the real sandwich, you’ll like it!
Cheryl says
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!