Homemade sharp cheddar cheese sauce and smoked-paprika bread crumbs give this mac a massive flavor boost over the boxed version. For the easiest prep in camp, make the cheese sauce and bread crumbs at home, and buy one-pan, no-drain pasta. (Or cook regular pasta in camp as noted below.)

This Story Originally Appeared On sunset.com

Gallery

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Recipe Summary

total:
50 mins
Yield:
Serves 4 (makes 6 1/2 cups)
Advertisement

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  • AT HOME

    Advertisement
  • Toast bread crumbs: In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook crumbs with oil and 1/8 tsp. each salt and pepper, stirring often, until crumbs begin to crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Add paprika and cook, stirring, until crunchy, 2 to 4 more minutes. Pour from pan to a bowl and let cool; then seal in a lidded container or resealable plastic bag.

  • Make sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and remaining 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper; whisk until bubbling and light tan, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Add milk and cook, whisk­ing, until sauce bubbles and thickens, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add cheese, and whisk until melted. Let cool, then transfer to a lidded container and chill in refrigerator or cooler.

  • IN CAMP

  • Pour no-drain pasta into a 12-in. cast-iron skillet or other large, deep frying pan on a camp stove; add 3 cups cold water. Cook over high heat, stirring often, until all but about 1/2 cup water is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. (For regular pasta, cook in a large pot of boiling water until just tender. Set aside 1/2 cup cooking water; drain pasta and return to pot with reserved water.)

  • Add cheese sauce to pasta and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Spoon into bowls and scatter bread crumbs over each serving.

  • *Whirl a few slices of bread in a food processor to make crumbs. Find Pronto pasta at well-stocked grocery stores.

  • Make ahead: Through step 2, up to 3 days.

Chef's Notes

Wine pairing: A bright, crisp white like Dobbes Family Greater View Vineyard Grenache Blanc (Rogue Valley, OR), with lovely texture and a gamut of citrus flavors that work with the cheese, and a layer of minerality that makes the paprika pop.

Source

Camp Sunset, A Modern Camper's Guide to the Great Outdoors (Oxmoor House; May 2016)

Nutrition Facts

834 calories; calories from fat 43%; protein 32g; fat 40g; saturated fat 21g; carbohydrates 88g; fiber 3.4g; sodium 990mg; cholesterol 104mg.
Advertisement