Baked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

Pasta and Cheese Sauce

• 16 oz elbow macaroni (or other tubular pasta)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper to taste

Topping

• 1½ cups panko crumbs
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat — Oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a large 3–4 qt baking dish. Combine shredded cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
2. Cook pasta — Cook pasta one minute shy of al dente according to package instructions. Drain, toss with olive oil to coat, and set aside to cool.
3. Make the roux — Melt butter in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook about 1 minute until bubbly and golden.
4. Build the sauce — Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream until smooth. Cook, whisking, until bubbles appear on the surface, then continue for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add cheese — Add two cups of shredded cheese and whisk until smooth. Add another two cups and continue whisking until creamy.
6. Combine — Stir cooled pasta into the cheese sauce until fully coated.
7. Layer — Pour half of mac and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of shredded cheese, then remaining mac and cheese.
8. Make topping — Combine panko crumbs, Parmesan, melted butter, and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
9. Bake — Bake about 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Shred your own cheese — Block cheese melts properly; pre-shredded has coatings that prevent proper melting.
• Undercook the pasta — Cook slightly under al dente to prevent it from becoming too soft in the oven.
• Cold milk in the roux — Use cold milk when whisking into the roux to prevent lumps.
• Cheese swaps — Mozzarella, pepper jack, or Velveeta can be used for extra creaminess. Gruyere can be subbed with Jarlsberg.

Nutrition (per serving)

Tags: #recipe #macandcheese #cheese #baked #comfortfood #american