Show me someone who doesn't like macaroni and cheese and I will show you someone you should not trust. Anyone with that much self control has to be part robot. I stumbled upon this recipe over five years ago and it is the biggest 'dish request' I get when we go to pot-luck dinner parties and family gatherings. Of course, this recipe was created by the oh so talented Martha Stewart so there really isn't much tweaking necessary. The recipe calls for sharp white cheddar chesse and Gruyere or pecorino Romano but I have found Asiago also works nicely in a pinch.
WARNING: this recipe makes a lot of mac and cheese! You can split it into two smaller 9x9 casserole dishes and then freeze one before you bake it.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Butter your baking dish(s) and put aside.
- In a separate small bowl, take your six slices of bread and rip them into 1/4"-1/2" pieces. Remember, this is delicious mac and cheese so it deserves a quality bread topping. Melt 2 tbs butter in a sauce pan and pour it into the bowl with the bread, toss it and set it aside for later.
- Warm milk in a pan on medium heat.
- In a high sided pan melt the remaining 6 tbs butter. When bubbly add flour. Cook for about one minute, until it thickens, stirring constantly.
- While whisking slowly pour in warm milk. Cook 8-12 minutes.
- In a separate pan, bring salt water to a boil to cook noodles. Cook for 2-3 minutes, strain and rinse in COLD water. Rinsing in cold water is important because it will stop the noodles from cooking.
- Remove sauce from heat add salt, nutmeg, cayenne pepper*, black pepper, 3 1/2 cups cheddar and 1 cup Romano (note: if you are using Gruyere you will need 2 cups total and will add 1 1/2 cups at this stage. If you are using Asiago use the same measurements as the Romano). Stir it up.
*If I know that kiddos will be around to eat as well, I reduce the cayenne pepper to 1/8 tsp, but it's totally up to you.
- Pour the cheesy goodness into the buttered up baking dish. Top it with the remaining cheese and those breadcrumbs you have sitting aside.
- Bake until bubbly and golden, about 30 minutes.
- EAT UP!
Remember, if you make this delicious macaroni and cheese to let me know how it turns out for you! Just tag @rundmcb or #therundmcb