Havarti Mac and Cheese with Dill

Havarti mac and cheese with dill brings together the flavors of one of my favorite charcuterie board cheeses—dill havarti—with my favorite food in the world: macaroni and cheese! The result is a super cheesy and creamy mac and cheese with the slightly sharp and nutty havarti flavor as well as a touch of dill that's not overwhelming but just the right amount!

Havarti Mac and Cheese with Dill: Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 cups Havarti cheese, shredded
• 1 cup white cheddar, shredded
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (plus more to taste or for garnish)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream

How to Make Mac and Cheese with Havarti and Dill

Now for the fun part—let's get into the simple steps you need to follow to create this mac and cheese recipe for yourself.

Prepare the pasta

• In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add salt.
• Add the macaroni noodles and cook until al dente, according to package directions.
• Once cooked, drain the noodles and set aside.

Make the cheese sauce

This is my favorite part...making the roux and the cheese sauce!

In a separate large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux. Continue to whisk for about two minutes, or until the roux is golden brown.

Side note: Using a flat whisk is a game-changer for making a roux. A traditional whisk doesn't help you get the clumps out as well in a shallow pan, and when we're working with smaller ingredient amounts, a flat whisk really is THE way to go for getting the clumps out of your roux and ultimately getting an incredibly cream mac and cheese sauce.

Then, you'll gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue to whisk, ensuring there are no lumps.

Add in the salt, garlic powder, and onion powder, and stir to combine.

Allow the mixture to come to a slight simmer, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.

Turn off the heat (this stops the cheese from getting stringy) and gradually stir in the shredded havarti, white cheddar cheese, and fresh, chopped dill until the sauce is smooth and creamy. 

Combine pasta and sauce

Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the macaroni is well-coated with the sauce. Now is a good time to taste test and determine if you want to add more salt, pepper, or dill.

Serve

Transfer the mac and cheese to serving dishes. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh dill, if desired.

Serve immediately!

About the Ingredients

Havarti, a cheese hailing from Denmark, is known for its buttery aroma and taste. It melts beautifully which makes it an ideal choice for this dish. By itself, it's semi-soft with small and irregular holes. But when melted into a creamy sauce, its delightful flavor truly shines.

Adding white cheddar provides a little sharpness, creating a perfect balance with the mildness of Havarti. White cheddar is less processed than its orange counterpart and brings a more natural cheese flavor.

Dill, a green herb we all know and love (well, most of us anyway) with wiry, thin leaves, offers a bright and slightly tangy flavor to dishes. While it's often used with seafood, especially in sauces, incorporating it into this mac and cheese gives an unexpected, refreshing twist.

Dill has a unique flavor profile – slightly lemony and a bit bitter. In this dish, it not only adds taste but also a pop of color against the creamy cheese.

If you're as obsessed with dill as I am, try my spicy dill pickle dip with cream cheese and crunchy chip topping next!

I also have a dill pickle grilled cheese and fried cheese and pickles too. 

Havarti Mac and Cheese Serving Suggestions

While this mac and cheese is a star on its own, it pairs beautifully with various side dishes:

1. Garlic Bread: The buttery and garlicky flavors from a toasted slice of garlic bread complement the creamy texture of the mac and cheese. A crusty piece can also provide a contrasting texture to the dish. Lucky for you, I have the world's best garlic bread with cheese recipe right here.
2. Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Brighten up your plate and add a healthy component with veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts. Their natural flavors and crunch provide a nice balance.
3. Green Salad: A fresh salad with a tangy vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the mac and cheese, providing a refreshing counterpart. Here's my favorite vinaigrette for a green salad, or my caesar salad dressing without raw anchovies.

Storing and Reheating Mac and Cheese

If you happen to have leftovers (though I'd be surprised if you do!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, you might want to add a splash of milk to restore the creamy texture. Heat on a stovetop on low, stirring frequently, or in a microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until hot.

Variations

1. Veggies: Stir in some sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes for a veggie-packed version if you wish.
2. Spice it up: For those who like a little kick, go ahead and add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
3. Other cheeses: If you want, you can also go all white cheddar if you don't have havarti or can't find it!

📖 Recipe

Hope you're as excited about this dill havarti mac and cheese as I am! Let me know what you think once you try it.

XO,

Chelsea

By the way, I have a new page on my site with a bunch of helpful links. It has links to my social profiles, LTK, Amazon Storefront, etc. There's NO pressure to shop from any of these links. But if you're curious about the products I use, etc., that's where you'll find them. As always, I appreciate your support SO much!