Mac And Cheese Recipe
Make Mac And Cheese Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping (optional)
Method
Pasta
- 1
Boil pasta
Bring 4 cups of water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 12 oz elbow macaroni and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until al dente (about 7–8 minutes; check package for exact time). Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
- 2
Make roux
In the same pot (or a medium saucepan) melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted and foamy, add 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until the raw flour smell is gone and the mixture is light golden (do not brown).
- 3
Add dairy
Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream in a slow, steady stream to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until smooth. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, whisking often, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4–6 minutes.
- 4
Season and soften
Reduce heat to low. Whisk in 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Add 2 ounces room-temperature cream cheese and whisk until fully melted and incorporated.
- 5
Add cheeses
Remove the pot from heat. Stir in 3 cups sharp cheddar and 1 cup mild cheddar a handful at a time, stirring gently until each addition melts and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, whisk in up to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- 6
Combine with pasta
Return drained pasta to the pot with the cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat all the pasta with sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Topping (optional) & Bake
- 7
Prepare topping
If using a topping, combine 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley in a small bowl. Stir until evenly moistened.
- 8
Assemble
Transfer the sauced pasta to a 9x9-inch (or similar) baking dish, smoothing the top. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
- 9
Bake (optional)
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes until the topping is golden and the sauce is bubbly around the edges. For extra browning, broil 1–2 minutes — watch closely to avoid burning.
- 10
Finish
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired, then serve warm.