This baked mac and cheese recipe is our Platonic supreme of the consolation meals traditional: It’s creamy and deeply tacky, has a crunchy crust, and is spectacular sufficient to serve at a cocktail party. (Sure, macaroni and cheese is acceptable ceremonial dinner fare, and sure, this recipe might be doubled when you anticipate an extra-large crowd.) It’s additionally certain to make an annual look in your buffet of Thanksgiving facet dishes.
Béchamel, a roux enriched with complete milk, retains the sauce in our selfmade mac and cheese creamy and shouldn’t be rushed. Permit a minute for the uncooked flour style to prepare dinner off earlier than including the nice and cozy milk steadily. Don’t be alarmed if the sauce appears to be like skinny at first; it is going to proceed to thicken because it bakes with the noodles. A phrase on these noodles: Whereas elbow macaroni or any brief pasta will work, we advocate one thing with ridges, comparable to cavatappi, which can grip properly onto the sauce.
Deploying 4 totally different shredded cheeses could seem extreme, however every performs its half within the recipe: Gruyère provides the sauce a nutty richness, whereas sharp cheddar cheese brings tang, and fontina ensures it’s lush and creamy. In the meantime, Parmesan cheese provides a salty, savory hit to the crispy panko topping. A contact of cayenne and English mustard powder provides kick to the entire affair (when you don’t have them, just a few dashes of scorching sauce and a squirt of Dijon will do).
In search of Stovetop Mac ‘n’ Cheese made additional lush with a pour of heavy cream? We’ve received you. For our favourite baked macaroni and cheese recipe with add-ins, together with cauliflower and cherry tomatoes, click on right here.
