TJ's Unexpected Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Trader Joe'sTJ's Unexpected Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 pound pasta, such as Trader Joe's Organic Black Pepper Barilotti Pasta or Orzo Italian Pasta
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, such as Trader Joe's Unbleached Enriched All-Purpose Flour
- 4 cups milk, such as Trader Joe's Organic Milk A2/A2, warmed
- 12 ounces Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Trader Joe's Habanero Hot Sauce, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, such as Trader Joe's Organic Bread Crumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Gradually whisk in the warmed milk, a little at a time, until smooth and no lumps remain. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese until completely melted and smooth. Add the Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Trader Joe'sTJ's Unexpected Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 pound pasta, such as Trader Joe's Organic Black Pepper Barilotti Pasta or Orzo Italian Pasta
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, such as Trader Joe's Unbleached Enriched All-Purpose Flour
- 4 cups milk, such as Trader Joe's Organic Milk A2/A2, warmed
- 12 ounces Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Trader Joe's Habanero Hot Sauce, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, such as Trader Joe's Organic Bread Crumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the warmed milk, a little at a time, until smooth and no lumps remain. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese until completely melted and smooth. Add the Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
⏱️ 2 min