Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese
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Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese takes the classic open-faced sandwich and turns it into the ultimate comfort food. Tender pasta is coated in a creamy cheese sauce, then layered with roasted chicken or turkey, crispy bacon, and fresh tomatoes. Baked until bubbly and golden, this hearty dish brings all the flavors of the iconic Hot Brown in a cozy, cheesy casserole form. Perfect for family dinners or when you’re craving a Southern-inspired twist on mac & cheese!
Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese has all the flavors of a classic Kentucky Hot Brown tucked into luscious macaroni and cheese.
Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese
The first time I ever had a KENTUCKY HOT BROWN, I fell in love with it right then. A friend shared the recipe with me, and I’ve been enjoying it for years now. I never saw it on a restaurant menu until a superb little restaurant, the Blue Canoe, opened in town a couple of years ago.
Therefore, I deconstructed the traditional Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich and replaced the bread with cheesy pasta for this recipe. Ok, so you could 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.
Another variation is Kentucky Hot Brown Burger.
Kentucky Derby Party Options
More Kentucky Derby-worthy recipes are KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY RECIPES, KENTUCKY BUTTER SAUCE POUND CAKE, and Easy Bourbon Balls Recipes
The tomato is really more than a garnish. It adds a little acidity, freshness, and brightness to the rich, creaminess of this recipe.
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Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni prepared according to package directions
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons self-rising flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 6 ounces ham steak cubed
- 1 medium chicken breasts cubed
- 6 slices bacon
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 or 5 slices sourdough bread cut into cubes
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium Roma tomatoes
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.
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
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! 🙂
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!
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 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.
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 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!
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! 🙂
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!
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!