Mac & Cheese Recipe
Make Mac & Cheese Recipe in just 50m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce (Roux + Milk)
Cheeses
Topping (optional)
Method
Pasta
- 1
Boil pasta
Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt. Add 12 oz elbow macaroni and cook until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than package instructions), usually 7-8 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and set aside. Do not rinse.
Cheese Sauce (Roux + Milk)
- 2
Make roux
In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Once foaming but not browned, add 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until the raw flour smell cooks out and mixture is lightly golden.
- 3
Add milk and cream
Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream, adding a small splash at a time to avoid lumps. Increase heat to medium-high and continue whisking until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer and thickens to a sauce that coats the back of a spoon, about 4-6 minutes.
- 4
Season sauce
Reduce heat to low and whisk in 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Cheeses
- 5
Incorporate cheeses
Remove the sauce from heat. Add 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 cup shredded Gruyère, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan a handful at a time, stirring until each addition melts and the sauce becomes smooth and glossy. If the sauce becomes too thick, whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until you reach a creamy consistency.
- 6
Combine with pasta
Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce and gently fold until the pasta is fully coated. If serving immediately as stovetop mac & cheese, serve now. For baked mac & cheese, proceed to topping and baking steps.
Topping (optional) and Bake
- 7
Prepare topping
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, and 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (if using). Mix until crumbs are evenly moistened.
- 8
Assemble and bake
Transfer the cheese-coated pasta into a 9x9-inch (or similar) baking dish, smoothing the top. Evenly sprinkle the panko topping over the mac & cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until the topping is golden and the edges are bubbling, 18-22 minutes. For an extra-browned top, place under the broiler 1-2 minutes, watching closely.
- 9
Rest and serve
Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving to set. Garnish with additional chopped parsley or an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.
