CHEF JOHN'S MACARONI AND CHEESE

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Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese image

This easy-to-make old-school macaroni and cheese has a perfectly crispy crust.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
⅛ teaspoon white pepper
3 cups milk
1 pinch ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
  • Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in the flour; cook on medium heat until flour just begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes. Add thyme, cayenne pepper, and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup of milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring the sauce just to a simmer.
  • Stir in nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, and salt; simmer on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes, whisking often. Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups of Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Add Dijon mustard.
  • Transfer the macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in the cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine sauce with pasta. Mix panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl, and sprinkle crumbs on top of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup of Cheddar cheese on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese topping are golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 694.8 calories, Carbohydrate 72.8 g, Cholesterol 94.5 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 29.4 g, SaturatedFat 19.9 g, Sodium 928.4 mg, Sugar 8.1 g

Dominic Carroll
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I made this macaroni and cheese for my family last night and they loved it! It was easy to make and it turned out great. I will definitely be making this again.


Usman Nasar
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This macaroni and cheese is the best! It's so creamy and cheesy, and the pasta is cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.


Silas anochie
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I've made this macaroni and cheese several times now and it's always a hit! It's so easy to make and it's always delicious. I highly recommend it.


Baby Daniel
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This macaroni and cheese is amazing! I love the combination of cheeses and the pasta is cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.


Lilian Adhiambo
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I made this macaroni and cheese for my family last night and they loved it! It was easy to make and it turned out great. I will definitely be making this again.


Poping Keha
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This macaroni and cheese is the best! It's so creamy and cheesy, and the pasta is cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.


Michelle Dallas
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I've made this macaroni and cheese several times now and it's always a hit! It's so easy to make and it's always delicious. I highly recommend it.


Alli Abdulrasuse
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This macaroni and cheese is amazing! I love the combination of cheeses and the pasta is cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.


Charlotte senior
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I made this macaroni and cheese for my family last night and they loved it! It was easy to make and it turned out great. I will definitely be making this again.


Beth Sannes
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This macaroni and cheese is the best! It's so creamy and cheesy, and the pasta is cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.


nisar ahmadzai
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I've made this macaroni and cheese several times now and it's always a hit! It's so easy to make and it's always delicious. I highly recommend it.


Mahlatse Makhana
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This macaroni and cheese is amazing! I love the combination of cheeses and the pasta is cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.


Tumelo Seritsane
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I made this macaroni and cheese for my family last night and they loved it! It was easy to make and it turned out great. I will definitely be making this again.


Thamer Mansour
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This macaroni and cheese is the best I've ever had! It's so creamy and cheesy, and the pasta is cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.