Q1: What is the absolute best way to make a creamy mac and cheese without a traditional flour-and-butter roux?

This recipe uses a brilliant and super-easy secret: cream cheese ! By first reducing the half-and-half to concentrate its richness, and then melting in a block of softened cream cheese, you are creating an incredibly thick, stable, and velvety-smooth base for your cheese sauce that is completely foolproof and has a wonderful, tangy flavor.

Q2: Can I make these Mac-O'-Lanterns ahead of time for a Halloween party?

Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead dish! The best method is to prepare the mac and cheese completely and to blanch and carve your peppers . Store them separately in the refrigerator. When your party starts, you can simply reheat the mac and cheese gently on the stovetop and then fill your prepared pepper bowls for serving.

Q3: What is the best and safest way to carve a bell pepper?

The safest way is to use a small, sharp paring knife . After you have blanched the pepper, it will be much softer and easier to carve. Simply use the tip of your knife to gently trace and then cut out your classic, spooky triangle eyes and a jagged mouth. Because the pepper is soft, this is a great and safe activity for older kids to help with!

Q4: Can I freeze the mac and cheese?

Yes, this mac and cheese freezes surprisingly well! Let it cool completely, and then you can store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it gently on the stovetop with a generous splash of milk to make it creamy again.

Q5: What is the best kind of bell pepper to use for this recipe?

For this fun, Halloween-themed recipe, an orange bell pepper is the perfect choice because it looks the most like a pumpkin! However, red or yellow bell peppers are also fantastic choices because they are much sweeter and more flavorful when cooked than a green bell pepper.

Mac-O'-Lantern & Cheese Bowls (The Perfect Halloween Dinner!)

Mac-O’-Lantern & Cheese Bowls (The Perfect Halloween Dinner!)

A fun and festive Halloween-themed meal, this recipe features creamy macaroni and cheese served inside hollowed-out orange bell peppers that have been carved to look like jack-o’-lanterns. The bell pepper ‘bowls’ are first blanched to make them tender. A simple, rich, and from-scratch cheese sauce is made by reducing half-and-half and then melting in cream cheese and cheddar. This creamy sauce is tossed with cooked elbow macaroni and then spooned into the carved pepper bowls.

Author: Evelyn

Ingredients

Kosher salt
6 medium orange bell peppers
8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 ounces mild Cheddar, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
Cut the tops off the bell peppers and reserve them. Remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers.
Using a sharp paring knife, carefully carve a jack-o’-lantern face into one side of each pepper.
Place the peppers and their tops in the boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until just tender. Immediately transfer the peppers to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cool, remove them from the water.
Return the water to a boil, add the macaroni, and cook for about 6 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Make the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat the half-and-half in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer. Continue simmering for about 10 minutes, until it has reduced to about 3/4 cup.
Add the room-temperature cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in the shredded Cheddar until the sauce is smooth.
Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the cooked macaroni and stir to combine. If the sauce is too thick, stir in some of the reserved pasta water to thin it. Season with salt if needed.
Let the mac and cheese sit for 10 minutes, then divide it among the carved pepper ‘bowls’. Cap each with its pepper top to serve.

Notes

This is a creative and kid-friendly way to serve mac and cheese for a Halloween dinner.
Blanching the peppers and then shocking them in an ice bath is a key step that makes them tender enough to eat but still sturdy enough to hold the filling.
Reserving the starchy pasta water is an important technique for adjusting the consistency of the cheese sauce.

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/mac-o-lantern-cheese-bowls/