Description
Comfort culinary magic shines through this mac and cheese masterpiece, blending rich cheeses and smooth pasta into a soul-warming dish. Cheesy, indulgent, and irresistibly delicious, you’ll savor each velvety bite of this classic American favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese:
- 1 lb (450 g) elbow macaroni
- 3 cups (300 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella or Gruyere cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce Base:
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk
Seasonings and Optional Flavors:
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious pot with generously salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil. Gently submerge pasta and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight firmness. Carefully drain and reserve.
- In a substantial saucepan, melt butter until it shimmers, then introduce flour. Whisk vigorously, creating a smooth, golden roux that develops a nutty fragrance.
- Stream milk slowly into the roux, whisking continuously to eliminate potential lumps. Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken, transforming into a velvety, luxurious base.
- Incorporate Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce heat and introduce cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until they meld into a silky, decadent sauce.
- Fold cooked pasta into the molten cheese mixture, ensuring each pasta curve is lavishly coated with the creamy sauce.
- For an irresistible crispy dimension, transfer the mac and cheese to a buttered baking vessel. Sprinkle breadcrumbs or additional cheese across the surface, then bake until the top transforms into a golden, crackling crust.
- Serve immediately, presenting a steaming dish of comfort. Optionally, garnish with delicate parsley or a whisper of paprika for visual appeal.
Notes
- Customize the cheese blend by mixing sharp cheddar with mild varieties for a complex, balanced flavor profile that elevates the classic comfort dish.
- Prevent grainy sauce by grating cheese at room temperature and adding it gradually over low heat, ensuring smooth, creamy texture without separation.
- Boost nutritional value by incorporating roasted vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, or butternut squash into the mac and cheese for added nutrients and interesting texture.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, and using gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 565
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg