Mac n Cheese: Mad Love

by Cristina | Last Updated: November 16, 2018

At a very young age, I fell madly and deeply in love with Mac n Cheese.  I suppose I can thank Kraft for that, even though we now know that it was less Mac n Cheese and more pasta and yellow dye no 9. I digress.

This mad love affair has only grown stronger.  In fact, my husband knows if we go to a restaurant with Mac n Cheese on the menu- it will be ordered.  Whether it pairs well with our meal or not- ordered.  I simply must know what it tastes like in every single establishment I enter.  If you are wondering whether I have a running list of places with the best- the answer is obviously and perhaps I will share, one day.  If you are also wondering- yes I eat my children’s Mac n Cheese at restaurants- but so do you stop lying.

It goes without saying that I would have a recipe for it.  I have been perfecting it for years. I have tried different cheeses in the past, but found that keeping it simple goes a long way.

Hope you love it!

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 8 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk (eyeball it)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Pinch paprika
• 3  cups grated Cheddar (1 big block plus one small  block at the store)
• 2 cups grated Colby/Jack Cheddar  (1 big block at the store)
• 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs (maybe more)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain well.
3. Melt the remaining 7 tablespoons butter in a heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, and stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the flour brown. Using a whisk, add the milk in a steady stream and cook, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth, 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the salt, pepper, cayenne, and most of the  cups of the cheese (reserve 1/2 cup to add to mix with breadcrumbs to top), and stir well. Add the noodles and stir well. Pour into the prepared dish.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese with the bread crumbs and Essence. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 25 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.