Shepherd's Mac & Cheese (FG 1**, Crock*)

This recipe was inspired by Dinosaur Bar B Que; An American Roadhouse.

Now, the Dinosaur happens to be our very favorite restaurant. At the time of this writing, there are only three locations, and if you aren't fortunate enough to live in Rochester, Syracuse or New York City, well, I am truly sorry for your loss. But if you come to visit, I promise to feed you Dinosaur BBQ!! (If you live near a Wegmans, they are carrying heat and serve Dinosaur now, try the pulled pork!)

So aaaannnnyyyyways....

I found this recipe for Dinosaur-Style Macaroni & Cheese Shepherd's Pie. We've never seen this offered at the Rochester Location, but it looked SO good, I just had to try it. It was as good as it looked!

In true Leni fashion, I have changed the recipe a bit to make it suitable for various diets, but not too much.

**FG 1 means that it is acceptable for Feingold Program, Stage 1
*Crock Pot directions at the bottom

Shepherd's Mac & Cheese (FG 1)


1 lb. pasta shells, cooked and drained
1 lb. ground meat
2 C. chopped onion
5 cloves of garlic, chopped (I used about half)
1 1/4 lbs ground beef
1 T. black pepper
1 T. salt
1/4 C. butter
2 t. dry ground mustard
1/4 flour
2 1/2 C. milk
3 C. shredded cheddar
1 C. grated parmesan


Preheat oven to 375. Boil and drain pasta, set aside.
Brown the ground beef with 1/2 of the onions, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons each of salt and pepper.
Drain all fat, and place this mixture in the bottom of a greased 13 x 9 pan.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan, and fry the rest of the onions.
When they are soft, add the flour, remaining salt and pepper, and dry mustard, and whisk until thoroughly blended.
Slowly add the milk, whisking as you go.
When mixture is bubbly and thicker, remove from heat, and add 2 cups of cheddar and the parmesan cheese.
Fold in the cooked pasta.
Place this evenly over the meat mixture.
Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake 30-45 min, til golden on top. Serves 6-8 people.

*Crock instructions.
Do everything the same, but layer in your crockpot instead of pan, and bake on low for 3 hours or so.

I will warn you though, it doesn't get golden and nice on top in the crock pot, but it still tastes great!!

Enjoy!