BAKED, CRUNCHY-TOPPING, MAC N CHEESE
Not your everyday mac n cheese, this recipe is very rich. It is just a tad spicy with the red pepper and dijon mustard. Even with the little bit of spice it is still child friendly. And delicious! I grate my cheese (slowly at that!) so your prep time will be less if you used shredded-from-the-package cheese. You can use unsalted butter in the sauce. If you use regular butter but prefer less salt, then just cut back a bit on the salt listed in the ingredients.
Provided by Lisanne
Categories < 4 Hours
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Grease a 3-quart shallow baking dish.
- Bring a pot of salted water (Who wants bland pasta?) to boil for the macaroni.
- The yummy topping: Melt 2 T unsalted butter
- In a bowl stir melted butter together with crushed Ritz and 1 cup cheddar until well combined. This can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
- The yummy sauce: In a 5-quart heavy saucepan melt 3 T butter over med low heat.
- Stir in flour and red pepper flakes.
- Stir about 3 minutes and whisk in milk.
- Bring sauce to a boil, whisking constantly.
- Simmer, whisking occasionally, for about 3 minutes or so.
- Stir in the cream, the 4 cups of cheddar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Remove pan from heat and cover surface of sauce with wax paper.
- Cook macaroni in boiling water, al dente. (per package instructions)
- Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
- Drain macaroni.
- Return the macaroni to the pot (off the burner) and mix together the macaroni, reserved cooking water, and the sauce. (The sauce does stick a bit to the wax paper when removed)
- Transfer macaroni mixture to baking dish.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over the macaroni and bake on middle rack for 20 to 25 minutes, or until light golden brown and bubbling.
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Zayzay Bestman
[email protected]Yum!
Kalokwera Choudry
[email protected]This mac n' cheese was easy to make and very tasty. The crunchy topping was a nice addition and the cheese sauce was very creamy. I would definitely make this again.
Endadul Shiak
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of mac n' cheese, but this recipe was actually pretty good. The crunchy topping was my favorite part. I would definitely make this again if I was in the mood for mac n' cheese.
Kenneth Varney
[email protected]This was an easy and delicious recipe. The crunchy topping was a nice touch and the cheese sauce was very flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.
Adam Dodson
[email protected]The crunchy topping on this mac n' cheese is amazing! It adds so much flavor and texture. The cheese sauce is also very creamy and delicious. I would definitely recommend this recipe.
Lizzie Jackson
[email protected]This mac n' cheese was delicious! The crunchy topping added a nice texture and the cheese sauce was very creamy. I would definitely make this again.
Teresa Bryant
[email protected]Just made this recipe and it was a huge success! Everyone loved the crunchy topping and the cheese sauce was perfect. Will definitely be making this again.
Kingsolex Solomon
[email protected]This is the best mac n' cheese recipe I've ever tried. The baked crunchy topping is amazing and the cheese sauce is so creamy and flavorful. I highly recommend this recipe!
Syed Ashiqul Islam
[email protected]I tried this recipe last night and it turned out great! The crunchy topping was especially delicious. I'll definitely be making this again.
Chiristin Salyb
[email protected]This mac n' cheese recipe is a hit with my family! The baked crunchy topping is the perfect touch and adds so much flavor. I've made it several times now and it's always a crowd-pleaser.