0 from 96 votes
Creamy Mac and Cheese
Super creamy mac and cheese with 2 kinds of cheese will be the most decadent mac and cheese you've ever had.... plus there's a crispy topping! Inspired by the queen.... Ina
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 814 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
- 1 quart milk
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups grated gruyere cheese
- 2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar
- 4-6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and stems discarded
- kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs, more if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan until just simmering!
- Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large pot and add the flour to make a roux. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Carefully stream in the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until the milk starts to thicken. Remove from heat, add the shredded cheeses, thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-4 quart baking dish.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the panko into the skillet and toss to combine, then sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Prep ahead instructions: I'll be honest with you, making mac and cheese ahead of time can be a risk. But I think I've mastered it. For this recipe, you can make the pasta and the cheese sauce and combine them. Then cover and leave it in the fridge.
- Day of serving, add a few tablespoons of milk into the mixture and stir to combine before baking in the oven with the topping! That will loosen up the cheese sauce and still yield beautiful melty mac and cheese
Nutrition Information
Calories
814kcal
(41%)
Carbohydrates
58g
(19%)
Protein
39g
(78%)
Fat
47g
(72%)
Saturated Fat
28g
(140%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
Trans Fat
0.5g
Cholesterol
145mg
(48%)
Sodium
734mg
(31%)
Potassium
403mg
(12%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
1475IU
(30%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
1038mg
(104%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 814
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 814kcal | 41% |
| Carbohydrates | 58g | 19% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 47g | 72% |
| Saturated Fat | 28g | 140% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 145mg | 48% |
| Sodium | 734mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 403mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1475IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 1038mg | 104% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.