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Baked Mac & Cheese

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 5 people

Ingredients
  

  • 14 ounces shell or elbow macaroni or any type of pasta shape
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup of all purpose flour
  • 3 cups of milk
  • 1 cup of heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan
  • 1 cup of Gruyere cheese
  • black pepper to taste
  • salt to taste
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp regular paprika or smoked paprika

Bread Crumbs

  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp chopped thyme
  • 4&1/2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions
 

  • In a pan on low heat , melt the butter. Then add the panko, chopped thyme, salt and stir until panko gets light golden in color. Set aside to cool.
  • Let’s make the cheese sauce! Preheat the oven to 375 F
  • Cheese sauce:
    Start making the roux- In a pot on medium heat, melt the butter. Then add the flour and whisk for a couple minutes to cook off the flour flavor.
  • Then slowly whisk in the milk. Continue to stir until it thickens. Now add the garlic powder , Dijon mustard, chili powder , paprika salt and black pepper ( to taste).
  • Turn the heat off and add about 2 cups of the shredded cheese mix and stir. Then add another 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Taste and add additional seasoning to your liking.
  • Cook the pasta one minute before al dente, according to the package instructions. Then drain the pasta and add it to the cheese sauce and mix.
  • Pour half of the pasta into a oven safe dish. Then add a little bit of the cream and the remaining shredded cheese. Pour the remaining pasta and then add the remaining cream. Using a spoon, lightly stir the pasta to ensure cream is distributed evenly.
  • Top the pasta with additional cheese ( optional) and then cover it with panko breadcrumbs. Bake for 18-25 minutes or until bread crumbs are nice and golden.
  • Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

Lobster Mac & Cheese: If you want to make a lobster mac and cheese, you will need about 1 1/2 cups chopped cooked lobster meat plus more for garnish. You will fold the cooked lobster meat in the mac & cheese and transfer to baking dish. Top with additional lobster meat and buttery panko bread crumbs. Bake until golden and ooey gooey. Garnish with chopped chives.