Related Video: Homemade Mac & Cheese

Chef Manouschka Guerrier has made meals for some of Hollywood’s most famous stars. One of her biggest clients is one of LA’s most well known families: the Kardashians. That’s right, Guerrier has fed Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, and the whole Jenner clan. And with such a big family it’s hard to find something everyone will love. Guerrier’s rendition of Haitian mac and cheese, however, is so beloved that all of her clients specifically request it. Kaitlin Jenner loves it so much that her first bite convinced her to hire Guerrier on the spot.
If you’ve never had macaroni au gratin before, buckle up—it blows Kraft right out of the water. This comfort food benefits from peppers, plenty of seasoning, and both bacon and sausage. And the best part? You don’t have to go out of your way to make a homemade béchamel (Guerrier’s store bought shortcut just might surprise you).
Did you try making this recipe? If you liked it, go explore our other Hollywood-approved dishes on Celebrity Eats.
Ingredients
- 5
to 6 slices applewood bacon
Kosher salt
- 12 oz.
large elbow macaroni
- 1
bay leaf
- 4 oz.
gouda (not smoked), finely shredded
- 2 cups
four-cheese shredded blend
- 2 cups
Mexican blend shredded cheese
- 4
(1.4-oz.) packets Sazón GOYA Con Achiote
- 1 Tbsp.
Creole seasoning
- 2 tsp.
Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp.
tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tsp.
adobo powder
- 1 1/2 tsp.
garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp.
garlic salt
- 1/2
(12-oz.) can evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup
light mayonnaise
Hot sauce, for drizzling
- 1/2
green bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 1/2
red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 1/2
yellow bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 1/2
(14-oz.) package polska kielbasa, chopped
- 1 cup
pre-grated store-bought Parmesan
Directions
- Step 1Preheat oven to 375°. In a large heatproof skillet, arrange bacon in a single layer. Bake until crispy and fat is rendered, 10 to 20 minutes (depending on thickness of bacon). Using tongs, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Let cool, then crumble with your hands into a medium bowl.
- Step 2Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta and bay leaf, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Discard bay leaf, reserve 1/2 cup pasta liquid, then drain.
- Step 3In a large bowl, toss gouda, four-cheese blend, and Mexican blend cheese. Add Sazón, Creole seasoning, Worcestershire, tomato paste, adobo, garlic powder, and garlic salt and mix to combine. Add pasta and gently toss to combine.
- Step 4Add milk and mayonnaise, then drizzle with hot sauce (depending on heat preference). Mix to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed until glossy and smooth. Add bell peppers and kielbasa and toss just to coat. Transfer to a deep 13" x 9" baking dish.
- Step 5Add Parmesan to bowl with bacon and mix to combine. Sprinkle bacon mixture over pasta mixture.
- Step 6Bake macaroni and cheese until topping is golden brown and edges are browning and bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes.