Description
Mac and cheese from Joanna Gaines combines creamy cheddar, parmesan, and monterey jack for a rich, comforting dish. Signature comfort creates warmth that brings families together at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups freshly shredded gruyere cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 cups milk, warmed (low or full fat)
- 250 grams / 8 oz macaroni (elbow pasta)
- 4 tbsps (60 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (30 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp (15 grams) unsalted butter (or 2 tsps oil)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp mustard powder
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook macaroni until just shy of package instructions for perfect al dente texture. Drain completely and coat with melted butter, setting aside for later integration.
- Topping Creation: Blend panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and salt until uniformly mixed, reserving for final dish assembly.
- Cheese Sauce Development: Heat oven to 180°C. In a large saucepan, construct a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour for one minute. Gradually introduce milk, stirring continuously to eliminate potential lumps. Simmer sauce until achieving a silky, luxurious consistency. Remove from heat and incorporate cheddar, gruyère, and parmesan cheeses, seasoning to enhance flavor profile.
- Assembly and Layering: Fold cheese sauce into prepared macaroni, ensuring comprehensive coating. Transfer mixture to an ovenproof vessel, spreading evenly. Meticulously distribute breadcrumb mixture across the surface, creating a uniform protective layer.
- Baking and Presentation: Slide dish into preheated oven and bake until breadcrumbs transform into a rich golden-brown crust, approximately 25 minutes. Allow brief resting period before serving. Optional parsley garnish adds a fresh visual and flavor accent.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook macaroni slightly less than package instructions to maintain a delightful al dente texture that holds up beautifully in the cheesy sauce.
- Roux Mastery: Whisk flour and butter carefully for exactly one minute to create a smooth base that prevents lumpy sauce and ensures silky cheese consistency.
- Cheese Selection: Use a blend of high-quality cheeses like sharp cheddar and gruyère for maximum flavor complexity and creamy richness.
- Breadcrumb Brilliance: Toast panko breadcrumbs with butter to create an irresistibly crispy golden topping that adds delightful crunch to the creamy mac and cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg