Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese with Jerk Turkey

Nathan Congleton / TODAY

This is a go-to Thanksgiving recipe of mine because it’s an easy and delicious way to use your leftover turkey. Plus, mac and cheese is my son Zion’s absolute favorite food. But this mac and cheese is made with sweet potato, making it extra creamy and velvety. It’s become a Thanksgiving tradition of ours because my kids get so excited about having their favorite foods on the table. The jerk sauce is inspired by Caribbean flavors, which also stir up memories of the holidays for us — we love spending Christmas in the Bahamas together.

Technique tip: You can toast the panko on top of the mac and cheese in the oven for a couple minutes until lightly browned. You want your mac and cheese to be creamy and cheesy, so as soon as it begins to brown slightly on top, it’s time to come out of the oven!

Cook Time: 30 mins

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 18 mins

Ingredients

Jerk sauce

• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 cup chopped scallions

• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1 cup dark brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice

• 1 teaspoon diced ginger

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• salt and pepper, to taste

Jerk turkey

• 2 tablespoons jerk sauce (recipe above)

• 8 ounces pulled leftover turkey meat

• 1 tablespoon small diced red peppers

• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 teaspoon lime juice

Sweet potato cheese sauce (makes 4 cups)

• 4 cups whole milk

• 1 cup sweet potato puree

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic

• 1 teaspoon granulated onion

• 1 teaspoon berbere spice

• 1 pinch nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

• 1 cup cream cheese

• 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese

• salt, to taste

Sweet potato mac and cheese

• 2 cups cooked rigatoni pasta

• 1 diced small diced roasted sweet potato

• 1 teaspoon toasted panko breadcrumbs

• 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon diced fresh chives

Directions

Make the jerk sauce:

Place all ingredients in a food processor. Blend until smooth.

Make the jerk turkey:

In a small saucepot over medium heat, place pulled turkey and jerk sauce. Heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the diced peppers, chopped cilantro and lime juice. Continue to heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove pot from heat and place to the side.

Make the sweet potato cheese sauce:

1. In a medium saucepot over medium heat, place milk, sweet potato purée and butter. Bring mixture to a boil.

2. Add spices, cream cheese and cheddar cheese.

3. Cook all ingredients for 10 minutes on low heat.

4. Remove mixture from heat, blend until smooth with an immersion blender. Season with salt.

Make the sweet potato mac and cheese:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. To the cheese sauce, fold in cooked pasta and roasted sweet potato.

3. Pour mixture into baking dish, top it with additional cheddar cheese, and place the pan into the oven.

4. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

5. After removing it from the oven, top it with jerk turkey and garnish with panko, Parmesan and chives.