Classic Mac & Cheese
Recipe: Classic Mac & Cheese
Classic Mac & Cheese
Our Go-To Version of an American Icon
One of the beautiful elements of mac & cheese is its versatility. You can dress it up, you can dress it down, you can deconstruct it, and you can utilize any number of cheese combos. But the mac & cheese to measure all others against is the classic version done right. And that’s exactly what this one is.
We use a mixture of four different cheeses, a fine balance of spices, and just the right ratio of breadcrumbs to create a nice crunch on the top. Because this is a classic version, it also provides an excellent base to riff of when you’re feeling like experimenting with some other ingredients.
Classic Mac & Cheese
Our Go-To Version of an American Icon- Prep Time : 20 min.
- Cook Time : 40 min.
- Total Time : 60 min.
- Serves 6-8
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1 qt milk
- 8 oz cheddar, grated
- 8 oz Taleggio, rind removed & cubed
- 6 oz Fontina Val D'Aosta
- 6 oz Murray's Estate Gouda
- 2 oz cheddar, finely grated
- 8 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 lemon, zested
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 onion, skin removed
- 2 1/2 cloves garlic, grated
Directions
- Grate all cheeses and combine. Pre-heat your oven to 350°F.
- Cut a slit into the halved onion and place a bay leaf in the slit. Stick the 2 cloves of garlic into the onion. Start making the mornay sauce by placing the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat and adding the onion.
- In a separate saucepan, melt the butter and add ½ clove grated garlic. Slowly add the flour, whisking to combine, and cook for 2 minutes. Ladle in the warm milk, whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.
- Add the nutmeg, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add 5 ounces cheddar, 5 ounces Taleggio, 3 ounces Fontina, and 3 ounces Gouda.
- In a separate pan, bring water to a boil and add salt. Add the macaroni and cook until tender. Strain the macaroni and place in a bowl. Add the remaining grated cheeses and toss to combine.
- Pour the mornay sauce over the macaroni and toss to combine. In a small sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter and add the panko breadcrumbs, thyme and lemon zest. Place the combined macaroni & cheese into a shallow baking dish and top with the breadcrumbs.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes and serve immediately.
