Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this velvety Mac and Cheese recipe, a delightful blend of creamy cheeses and perfectly cooked pasta. Perfect as a family favorite or as a decadent side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
🍝 1 pound of elbow macaroni
🧀 8 oz Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
🧀 8 oz Gouda or smoked Gouda, shredded
🧀 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
🥛 3 cups of milk
🍶 1 cup of heavy cream
🌾 1/4 cup of flour
🧈 7 tablespoons of butter
🥄 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon
🧄 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
🌶️ 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
1- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the elbow macaroni and cook for about 7 minutes, until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
3- Shred the Cheese:
- While the pasta cooks, shred the Sharp cheddar, Gouda (or smoked Gouda), and Monterey Jack cheese by hand for a smoother melt.
4- Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the flour, whisking continuously until it forms a smooth paste.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add the chicken bouillon, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Stir and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, then gradually add all the shredded cheeses, stirring constantly until you achieve a smooth, creamy sauce.
5- Combine and Bake:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce.
- Stir well to ensure even coating.
- Transfer the mixture into a casserole dish.
- Top with a little more shredded cheddar cheese for extra flavor.
6- Bake:
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
7- Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving warm as a side dish or main delight.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories per Serving: Approximately 540
Proteins: 22g
Fats: 32g
Carbohydrates: 41g
Equipment: Large pot, saucepan, whisk, casserole dish, and cheese shredder
Cooking Tips
- For an even creamier texture, consider adding a bit more heavy cream or cheese.
- To enhance the flavor, consider using smoked Gouda.
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