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Macaroni & Cheese

by | Feb 25, 2021 | Recipe, Side dishes | 7 comments

Macaroni & Cheese

This was served with love by some wonderful people to whom we are grateful that they shared--the recipe and the finished product.
Print Recipe
Servings: 12
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 6 slices white bread, crusts removed torn into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces
  • 1 stick butter, unsalted
  • 5 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 4 1/2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, grated (about 18 ounces)
  • 2 cups Gruyere cheese, grated (about 8 ounces) or 5 ounces grated Pecorino Romano
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni

Equipment

  • casserole dish
  • sauce pan
  • whisks and spoons
  • cheese grater

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 375 F. Butter a 3 qt casserole dish and set aside. Place bread pieces in a medium bowl.
    In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Pour the melted butter over the bread pieces and toss to coat. Set them aside.
    In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat the milk.
    Melt the remaining butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When the butter bubbles, add the flour, stirring constantly for about 1 minute
    Slowly pour the hot milk into the flour-butter mixture while whisking constantly. Continue cooking and whisking until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
  2. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add the 3 cups of the cheddar cheese and 1 1/2 cups of the Gruyere (or 1 cup Pecorino Romano, if using) and stir until combined. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the macaroni according to the package instructions EXCEPT cook them 2-3 minutes short of done. Strain the macaroni through a colander and rinse under cold water, running water. Drain well.
  4. Stir the macaroni into the cheese sauce mixture. Pour all that into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses on top. Scatter the buttered bread crumbs over the top.
  5. Bake until browned, about 30 minutes. Transfer the casserole dish to a wire rack to cool for five minutes. Serve and enjoy.