Classic Mac & Cheese
Classic Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 500 g macaroni, elbows
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 pinch black pepper, to taste
- 1 pinch paprika, to taste
- 1 pinch salt, to taste
- 1 pinch garlic powder, to taste
- 1 pinch onion powder, to taste
- 1 pinch dry mustard, to taste
- 1 pinch nutmeg, freshly grated, to taste
- 4-5 cups grated cheese, a mix of Sharp Cheddars (both orange and white), Mozzarella, New Zealand Cheddar, and Marble cheese is recommended
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the 500g macaroni and cook until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the macaroni and set it aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
In a separate pot, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add 1/2 cup of flour to the butter. Whisk constantly for 1 minute until a smooth paste, known as a roux, forms.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Gradually pour in 4 cups of whole milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent any lumps from forming.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Add a pinch of black pepper, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard to the sauce. Grate some fresh nutmeg into the sauce. Continue to stir the mixture until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Once the sauce has thickened, add 4-5 cups of grated cheese (using a mix of Sharp Cheddars, Mozzarella, New Zealand Cheddar, and Marble cheese for flavor and stretch) to the pot. Stir until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir well to ensure every piece of macaroni is coated evenly. Pour the entire mixture into a baking dish.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Preheat your oven. Sprinkle an additional layer of grated cheese over the top of the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish. Bake the dish for approximately 25 minutes. The purpose of baking is to melt all the ingredients together for a creamy result.
⏱️ 25 min
- 8
After baking, place the dish under the broiler for 7-8 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving a nice golden color and a crispy crust on top.
⏱️ 8 min
- 9
Carefully remove the Mac & Cheese from the oven and serve hot.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Mac & Cheese
- 500 g macaroni, elbows
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 pinch black pepper, to taste
- 1 pinch paprika, to taste
- 1 pinch salt, to taste
- 1 pinch garlic powder, to taste
- 1 pinch onion powder, to taste
- 1 pinch dry mustard, to taste
- 1 pinch nutmeg, freshly grated, to taste
- 4-5 cups grated cheese, a mix of Sharp Cheddars (both orange and white), Mozzarella, New Zealand Cheddar, and Marble cheese is recommended
Instructions
- 1
Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the 500g macaroni and cook until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the macaroni and set it aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
In a separate pot, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add 1/2 cup of flour to the butter. Whisk constantly for 1 minute until a smooth paste, known as a roux, forms.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Gradually pour in 4 cups of whole milk into the roux, whisking continuously to prevent any lumps from forming.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Add a pinch of black pepper, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard to the sauce. Grate some fresh nutmeg into the sauce. Continue to stir the mixture until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Once the sauce has thickened, add 4-5 cups of grated cheese (using a mix of Sharp Cheddars, Mozzarella, New Zealand Cheddar, and Marble cheese for flavor and stretch) to the pot. Stir until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. Stir well to ensure every piece of macaroni is coated evenly. Pour the entire mixture into a baking dish.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Preheat your oven. Sprinkle an additional layer of grated cheese over the top of the macaroni and cheese in the baking dish. Bake the dish for approximately 25 minutes. The purpose of baking is to melt all the ingredients together for a creamy result.
⏱️ 25 min - 8
After baking, place the dish under the broiler for 7-8 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving a nice golden color and a crispy crust on top.
⏱️ 8 min - 9
Carefully remove the Mac & Cheese from the oven and serve hot.
⏱️ 2 min