Lot Six Mac & Cheese Recipe
Make Lot Six Mac & Cheese Recipe in just 1h . 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
Preheat a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than package directions), stirring occasionally, 7–8 minutes depending on pasta. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
- 2
Make roux
In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter. When it foams, add 6 tablespoons flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes to cook the raw flour but not brown it; this forms the roux.
- 3
Add milk
Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk and 1 cup half-and-half, adding a little at a time and whisking until smooth. Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble gently, about 5–7 minutes.
- 4
Flavor base
Reduce heat to low and whisk in 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- 5
Finish sauce with cheeses
Remove the saucepan from heat. Whisk in 4 ounces softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 3 cups grated sharp cheddar and 1 cup grated Gruyère in batches, stirring each addition until melted and fully incorporated. If sauce seems too thick, whisk in up to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to reach a creamy, coating consistency.
- 6
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce and gently fold until well coated. If the mixture is dry, add small amounts of reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is reached. Taste and correct seasoning with salt and pepper.
Topping & Bake (optional)
- 7
Prepare topping
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Toss until crumbs are evenly moistened.
- 8
Assemble and bake
Transfer the mac & cheese to a 9x13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top. Sprinkle the panko-Parmesan mixture evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven until the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbling around the edges, 20–25 minutes. For extra browning, broil 1–2 minutes—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- 9
Garnish and serve
Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley if using. Serve hot.