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How to Make Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese - A Step-by-Step Guide

Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that never goes out of style. There's just something about the creamy, cheesy goodness of this dish that brings a smile to everyone's face. And no one does macaroni and cheese quite like Chef John.

Chef John's macaroni and cheese recipe is the perfect combination of creamy and cheesy, with a hint of smokiness that takes this dish to a whole new level. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or just craving some comfort food, this recipe is sure...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Servings: 6

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in flour; cook on medium heat until flour begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add thyme, cayenne, and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring sauce just to a simmer.
  • Stir in salt, Worcestershire sauce, and nutmeg. Simmer, whisking often, on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes.
  • Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Mix in Dijon mustard.
  • Transfer macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine pasta with sauce.
  • Mix together panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl.
  • Sprinkle mixture over macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

    • Nutrition

    695 cal.

    • Total Fat: 32g
    • Saturated Fat: 20g
    • Cholesterol: 95mg
    • Sodium: 928mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 73g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 8g
    • Protein: 29g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 572mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 418mg

    Categories

    Pasta recipes
    Cheese recipes
    Main recipes
    Comfort food recipes
    Baking recipes