White Cheddar Mac n' Cheese

Recipe Information

- Prep Time: 15 Min
- Cook Time: 40 Min
- Servings: 3-5

Description

Creamy white cheddar macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, made rich and tangy with sharp white cheddar and gruyere. Cook your pasta until tender, then prepare a simple roux with butter and flour, whisk in milk, and melt in plenty of grated white cheddar for a silky sauce. Toss the pasta in the creamy mixture, season with salt and a hint of nutmeg, and enjoy a velvety, cheesy dish that’s cozy, flavorful, and perfect for sharing.

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

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F.

Step 2: Cook pasta 3-4 minutes less than 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 for an additional minute. Slowly pour in milk into the flour-butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking constantly until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.

Step 4: Remove the saucepan or skillet from the 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 pasta 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 the 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 tablespoons of butter in the microwave, then add Panko breadcrumbs and stir until butter covers breadcrumbs. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of the macaroni.

Step 8: Bake until brown on top, about 30 minutes.
 

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