Pirate Pak Macaroni & Cheese Recipe
A classic favourite.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping (optional)
Method
Pasta
- 1
Boil pasta
Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add 3 cups elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente according to package instructions (usually 7–8 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
- 2
Make roux
In the same pot (or a medium saucepan) melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Once foaming and bubbling, 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 roux is pale golden.
- 3
Add milk
Slowly pour in 2 cups whole milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook, whisking frequently, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4–6 minutes.
- 4
Season sauce
Whisk in 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- 5
Incorporate cheese
Reduce heat to low. Remove the sauce from direct high heat (leave on warm burner) and gradually stir in 2 cups sharp cheddar and 1 cup white cheddar or Monterey Jack, one handful at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, stir in up to 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (or more milk), 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired creaminess is reached.
- 6
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently until every piece is coated. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
Topping (optional) & Bake
- 7
Prepare topping
If using a crunchy topping, mix 1/2 cup panko with 1 tablespoon melted butter and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan in a small bowl until crumbs are evenly moistened.
- 8
Assemble
Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a 9x9-inch or similarly sized ovenproof baking dish, smoothing the top. Sprinkle the panko-Parmesan topping evenly over the surface.
- 9
Bake (optional)
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered until the topping is golden and the sauce is bubbly around the edges, about 15–18 minutes. For extra browning, place under the broiler for 1–2 minutes — watch carefully to avoid burning.
- 10
Serve
Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Serve warm.