World's Best Mac & Cheese
World's Best Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water, or as needed
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
For the Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated from a block
- 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, grated from a block
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, or to taste
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated from a block, or as needed
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Strain the cooked macaroni and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Add 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour to the melted butter. Whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, until it turns a light golden brown.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Gradually pour in 1 cup of whole milk and 1/2 cup of heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add 2 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Gruyère cheese to the sauce. Whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Season the cheese sauce with 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of mustard powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the macaroni is evenly coated.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Preheat your oven broiler to high. Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into an oven-safe baking dish or cast iron skillet.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Lightly grate Parmesan cheese over the top of the mac and cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Broil on high heat for 2-4 minutes, or until the topping is crispy, bubbly, and golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
World's Best Mac & Cheese
For the Macaroni
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water, or as needed
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
For the Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated from a block
- 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, grated from a block
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, or to taste
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated from a block, or as needed
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Strain the cooked macaroni and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Add 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour to the melted butter. Whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, until it turns a light golden brown.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Gradually pour in 1 cup of whole milk and 1/2 cup of heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add 2 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Gruyère cheese to the sauce. Whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Season the cheese sauce with 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of mustard powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the macaroni is evenly coated.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Preheat your oven broiler to high. Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into an oven-safe baking dish or cast iron skillet.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Lightly grate Parmesan cheese over the top of the mac and cheese.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Broil on high heat for 2-4 minutes, or until the topping is crispy, bubbly, and golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 2 min