Rib Cage Mac & Cheese (Crescent Bone Edition) Recipe
Rib Cage Mac & Cheese (Crescent Bone Edition) is a playful take on a classic comfort food, featuring creamy cheddar mac and cheese topped with arching crescent roll strips shaped like rib bones. This fun and delicious casserole combines a rich cheese sauce with tender pasta, then gets a creative makeover with golden, crispy crescent dough ribs decorated for a spooky yet appetizing look, perfect for themed dinners or playful family meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Mac & Cheese
- 6 cups cooked macaroni pasta
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or cheddar/jack mix)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Crescent Roll Topping
- 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough (preferably seamless dough sheet)
- Optional: 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: black sesame seeds or smoked paprika for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure the macaroni and cheese doesn’t stick.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in 3 cups of whole milk and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Add 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheddar/jack mix), 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and cheese is melted.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Mix the 6 cups of cooked macaroni pasta into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Pour this cheesy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Prepare Crescent Roll ‘Ribs’: Unroll the crescent dough onto a lightly floured surface. If using perforated dough, press the seams together to create a seamless sheet. Cut the dough into 8 to 10 long strips, about 1 inch wide each.
- Shape the Ribs: Gently stretch and curve each strip into an arch shape resembling a rib bone. Trim the ends of each strip to create tapered points for a realistic bone effect. For visual interest, make the ribs in the middle slightly larger than those at the ends.
- Arrange Ribs on Mac & Cheese: Lay the crescent roll ribs over the mac and cheese evenly spaced about 1 inch apart. Press the edges gently into the sides of the baking dish to secure them in place.
- Apply Egg Wash and Decoration (Optional): If desired, brush the crescent ribs lightly with beaten egg to give a shiny golden finish after baking. Sprinkle black sesame seeds, smoked paprika, or edible charcoal powder on top to add bone-like texture and color.
- Bake: Bake the assembled dish uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crescent strips are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the baked mac and cheese to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to let it set slightly for easier portioning and enhanced flavors.
Notes
- Use whole milk for a creamier cheese sauce; low-fat milk may result in a thinner sauce.
- If you want a stronger cheese flavor, add a cup of sharp cheddar or a mix of stronger cheeses like Gruyère or Parmesan.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular pasta and flour with gluten-free alternatives and use gluten-free crescent dough if available.
- Be gentle when shaping crescent dough strips to avoid tearing them.
- The optional egg wash helps the crescent ribs to brown and shine nicely but can be omitted for a dairy-free or vegan adaptation if using suitable crescent dough.
- To enhance bone texture, edible charcoal powder can be used sparingly as decoration instead of black sesame or paprika.
- Ensure the pasta is slightly undercooked before combining with the sauce to prevent over-softness after baking.
Keywords: mac and cheese, crescent roll, baked mac and cheese, cheesy casserole, fun dinner recipe, creative mac and cheese
