We love a good cast-iron pan around here, but it can be used for so much more than getting a fantastic sear on steak or an ultra-crisp skin on fried chicken. In fact, tonight we’re using this kitchen cookware staple for a decadent Meatless Monday Mac-N-Cheese. Cremini mushrooms, Madiera wine, half-and-half and Parmesan enrobe cavatapi noodles with cheesy goodness, but the crown jewel? A generous drizzle of truffle oil mixed into the sauce. You can bake them in individual cast-iron skillets as The Tavern Kitchen and Bar’s Justin Haifley has done here, or pour the whole thing into one big skillet and serve it family-style. Get the recipe for this dish here.
-photo by Carmen Troesser
This article appears in September 2014.