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White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
prep
15 Min
cook
40 Min
feeds
3-5
Creamy white cheddar macaroni and cheese! Sharp white cheddar and gruyere cheese add tang and richness to this comfort-food favorite. Making a creamy and delicious white cheddar macaroni and cheese is like embarking on a culinary adventure in your own kitchen. This classic comfort dish combines the simplicity of pasta with the lusciousness of a velvety cheese sauce.
White cheddar macaroni and cheese is a timeless favorite, beloved by people of all ages. It's comfort food at its finest, offering a perfect balance of cheesy goodness and tender pasta. The star of the show here is white cheddar cheese, which brings a rich, sharp flavor that distinguishes it from the more common orange cheddar mac and cheese. This dish is not only delicious but also a great way to learn basic cooking techniques, like making a roux (a mixture of butter and flour used for thickening sauces) and cooking pasta to perfection.
Before diving into the cooking process, gather your ingredients. You'll need macaroni or any pasta shape you prefer, butter, all-purpose flour, milk, white cheddar cheese (grated), salt, and a pinch of nutmeg for a subtle, delightful twist. Start by boiling the pasta until it's tender but still slightly firm, then drain it. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the flour to create a smooth paste. This forms the base of your cheese sauce. Gradually add the milk while whisking, creating a creamy mixture. Once it thickens, introduce the star of the dish: the white cheddar cheese, letting it melt into a luxurious, silky sauce.
Now comes the magical part. Combine the cooked pasta with the velvety cheese sauce, coating each piece evenly. This step is where the transformation happens, turning plain pasta into a decadent, cheesy delight. Be patient as the cheese sauce melds with the pasta, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Season it with a pinch of nutmeg, which adds a subtle hint of warmth, and a dash of salt to enhance the cheese's richness.
Finally, it's time to savor your creation. Spoon your homemade white cheddar macaroni and cheese onto plates or into bowls. The creamy, white sauce clings to the pasta, promising a bite that's both velvety and flavorful. As you take your first mouthful, you'll experience the comforting, cheesy goodness that only homemade mac and cheese can deliver. It's a dish that brings joy to the table, and you've just mastered it, ready to share this delightful culinary experience with friends and family. Cooking, after all, is about creating something delicious and sharing it with those you love.
Ingredients
All Ingredients
2 pounds penne pasta
12 Tablespoons butter, divided
5 1/2 cups milk or whole milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 cayenne pepper (depending on how much heat you prefer)
4 1/2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Step 2
Cook pasta 3-4 minutes less that the package instructions indicate.
Step 3
In a large saucepan or skillet, melt 6 Tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter is melted, add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add flour, and cook an additional minute. Slowly pour in milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking constantly until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
Step 4
Remove the saucepan or skillet from heat. Stir in salt, mustard, pepper, cayenne, 3 cups of cheddar and 1 1/2 cups of gruyere cheese. Set cheese sauce aside.
step 5
Transfer the cooked pasted to a colander, rinse under cold water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into cheese sauce.
step 6
Pour the mixture into a large greased, skillet or casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups of white cheddar and 1/2 cup of gruyere cheese on top.
step 7
In a small bowl, melt 3 Tablespoon of butter in microwave, then add Panko breadcrumbs and stir until butter covers breadcrumbs. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of macaroni.
step 8
Bake until brown on top, about 30 minutes.
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