Food and Recipes Recipes Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese Be the first to rate & review! Undercook the pasta by 1 minute. It will continue to cook in the creamy sauce while the crumb topping toasts under the broiler. By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on January 12, 2018 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Hands On Time: 20 mins Total Time: 20 mins Yield: 6 to 8 servings Ingredients 1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 qt. milk 6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 pound pasta (such as penne, cavatappi, or rotini) 2 (8-oz.) packages shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup grated sweet onion 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco) 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 (7-oz.) jars diced pimiento, drained 2 (2.52-oz.) packages fully cooked bacon, diced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives Directions Preheat broiler with oven rack 8 to 9 inches from heat. Bring 1/4 cup salt and 4 qt. water to a boil in a large covered Dutch oven over high heat. Meanwhile, microwave milk in a microwave-safe 1-qt. glass measuring cup covered with plastic wrap at HIGH 3 minutes. While milk is heating, melt butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; add flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in hot milk. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a low boil, whisking often. Add pasta to boiling water, and cook 8 minutes. Meanwhile, continue to cook sauce, whisking often, 6 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in cheese, onion, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Cover. Stir together panko and olive oil. Drain pasta, and fold into cheese sauce. Stir pimiento and bacon into pasta mixture. Sprinkle with panko mixture. Broil 1 to 2 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown. Sprinkle with chives; serve immediately. Hector Sanchez Rate it Print