Whole Wheat Mac and Cheese with Chicken

Name: Whole Wheat Mac and Cheese with Chicken
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 pound whole wheat ziti; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3 cups whole milk; 2 cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese; 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese; 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

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This recipe makes great use of leftover roasted chicken. Slideshow: More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

By Ian Knauer

Published on November 20, 2015

Whole Wheat Mac and Cheese with Chicken — Photo: © Ian Knauer

Active Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

55 mins

Yield:

6 to 8

Ingredients

1 pound whole wheat ziti
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, then drain.
While the pasta is cooking, in a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium high heat until hot, then whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, until the flour is fragrant, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the milk and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, then bring to a boil, whisking. Boil until the milk is slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar and the parmesan cheeses until melted, then whisk in the chicken. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the pasta together with the sauce and transfer to a 3-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
Bake the mac and cheese until the filling is bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve.