Description
Hearty and nostalgic, good old fashion mac and cheese brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Creamy cheddar cheese melts perfectly over tender pasta, creating a classic comfort dish that promises warm satisfaction with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 450g / 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 225g / 8 oz shell pasta
Cheese Blend
- 225g / 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- 225g / 8 oz gruyère cheese
- 115g / 4 oz parmesan cheese
Base and Seasonings
- 60g / 4 tbsp butter
- 60g / 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 720ml / 3 cups whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a large baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook the elbow macaroni and shell pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it becomes foamy and golden.
- Whisk in the flour to create a smooth roux, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste without browning.
- Gradually pour in the whole milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a silky, thickening sauce.
- Temper the eggs by slowly adding a small amount of the hot milk mixture while whisking vigorously to prevent scrambling.
- Incorporate the tempered eggs into the sauce, then add salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and paprika for a rich, aromatic flavor profile.
- Fold in the sharp cheddar, gruyère, and parmesan cheeses, stirring until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, gently folding to ensure every pasta piece is lavishly coated.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling with crispy, caramelized cheese.
- Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the sauce set and intensifies the flavors.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, freshly grated cheeses for maximum flavor and smooth melting, avoiding pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents.
- Pasta Texture Trick: Cook pasta just shy of al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy mac and cheese.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly.
- Flavor Enhancement: Add a dash of mustard powder or hot sauce to the cheese sauce for an extra depth of flavor and subtle kick that elevates the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 130mg