Kamil Perry
Macaroni and cheese is a beloved dish by both children and adults. The ultimate comfort food, it is a versatile dish that can be made in many ways. The secret to the perfect macaroni and cheese is a combination of three or more cheeses, layered in the dish and melted into a rich and creamy sauce. The pasta should be slightly undercooked to avoid becoming mushy, as it will continue to cook in the oven. The cheese sauce is made by combining a fat (butter) and starch (flour) and whisking in milk. The sauce is then combined with the pasta and baked in the oven. The topping is also important, with breadcrumbs or panko adding a golden, crispy texture.
How to Cook Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pasta | Elbow, tubular |
| Pasta texture | Undercooked, al dente |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, Colby, Fontina, Parmesan, Jarlsberg |
| Additional ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, breadcrumbs, mustard, rosemary, mushrooms, nutmeg, garlic |
| Toppings | Breadcrumbs, Panko, Parmesan |
| Baking temperature | 325–375°F |
| Baking time | 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking, or 3 days after baking |
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What You'll Learn
Undercook the pasta
When making gourmet macaroni and cheese, it is important to undercook the pasta before baking it in the oven. This is because the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, and you don't want it to become mushy or soggy. The pasta should be cooked until it is al dente, which means it should be slightly firm to the bite. If the pasta is cooked until it is too soft, it will fall apart and become mushy when baked.
To undercook the pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dried pasta and cook for one minute less than the package instructions for al dente. For elbow pasta, this usually means boiling for between four and five minutes. Test a noodle after about five minutes of cooking. If it is too firm to eat, it is time to drain the pasta. The pasta should be very firm, but not so firm that it cannot be pierced with a fork.
After draining the pasta, drizzle it with a little bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together. Set the pasta aside to cool while preparing the cheese sauce. The cheese sauce will also help to finish cooking the pasta, so it is important to undercook it initially to avoid overcooking it in the oven.
By undercooking the pasta, you ensure that it maintains its shape and texture when baked. This results in a macaroni and cheese dish that is creamy and cheesy, with a pleasant bite to the pasta. Undercooking the pasta is a crucial step in creating a gourmet macaroni and cheese that is both delicious and has a pleasing texture.
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Make the cheese sauce
To make a gourmet macaroni and cheese, you'll want to start by making a cheese sauce. This is a simple milk sauce, or béchamel, thickened with a roux—a mixture of flour and butter cooked together.
First, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Cook this mixture for around 1 minute, whisking often. You're aiming for a consistency that resembles very wet sand.
Next, slowly pour in your milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. You can use a mixture of milk and half-and-half, or milk and heavy cream. If you want to speed up the thickening process, heat your milk ahead of time so it's at room temperature or slightly warmer. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in your shredded cheese. It's important to take the sauce off the heat before adding cheese, to prevent the sauce from separating. Use freshly grated cheese, as pre-shredded cheese has additives that affect its melting properties. Add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until it melts before adding more. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or Colby.
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Combine sauce and pasta
To combine the sauce and pasta, start by cooking the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. For baked mac and cheese, the pasta should be undercooked as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta and drizzle with olive oil to prevent it from sticking. Set it aside.
Next, make the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine. Cook this mixture for a few minutes until it turns golden. Slowly whisk in milk and continue whisking until smooth. You can also add heavy cream at this stage for a richer sauce. Add seasonings like mustard powder, salt and pepper, rosemary, garlic powder and nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it starts to thicken.
Remove the pan from the heat and add shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth. You can use a single type of cheese or a combination of cheeses like Cheddar, Gruyère, Parmesan, Colby, Monterey Jack, and Fontina.
Finally, combine the sauce and pasta. Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until every noodle is coated. Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, then top with the remaining mac and cheese.
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Add a topping
A topping is essential to gourmet macaroni and cheese. It adds a golden, crispy texture to contrast with the soft, cheesy pasta. There are several options for toppings, each with its own unique flavour and texture:
Breadcrumbs
A topping of breadcrumbs can add a golden, buttery, crispy texture to your macaroni and cheese. To make this topping, melt some butter in a bowl, stir in breadcrumbs and Parmesan, and sprinkle the mixture over the macaroni and cheese.
Panko-Parmesan
A crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping is another option that can take your macaroni and cheese to the next level. To make this topping, melt butter in a bowl, stir in Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan, and sprinkle the mixture over the macaroni and cheese.
Cheese
An extra layer of cheese can help hold in the moisture and add a crispy texture to your macaroni and cheese. You can use a variety of cheeses such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, mild Cheddar, or Pepper Jack. Simply sprinkle the cheese over the pasta and bake until melted and bubbly.
Mushrooms
If you're looking for a more savoury topping, you can try sautéing mushrooms with rosemary and salt, then sprinkling this mixture over your macaroni and cheese.
Bacon
For a heartier option, you can add minced bacon to your cheese sauce and topping. This will add a salty, savoury flavour to your macaroni and cheese.
Feel free to experiment with different toppings and cheeses to find your favourite combination!
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Bake and serve
Preparation
Before you start baking, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to undercook your pasta when preparing it for macaroni and cheese. This is because the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, and you don't want it to become overcooked and mushy. Secondly, when preparing the cheese sauce, it's best to use freshly grated cheese and add it in small amounts, stirring until it melts before adding more. This will help you avoid a grainy cheese sauce. Finally, make sure all your ingredients are prepped and measured in advance, as the recipe moves quickly once you start cooking.
Baking
To bake your gourmet macaroni and cheese, start by preheating your oven to a temperature between 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a large baking dish (typically around 3 or 4 quarts) and set it aside. Combine your cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, and transfer half of this mixture to the baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top, followed by the remaining pasta and cheese sauce. For an extra crispy and golden top, sprinkle more shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, or a Panko-Parmesan mixture on top. Now, bake your macaroni and cheese until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The baking time can vary depending on the recipe, but it typically ranges from 2 to 30 minutes.
Serving
Allow your macaroni and cheese to cool slightly before serving. If you've prepared it ahead of time and it's been refrigerated or frozen, reheat it in the oven at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through. Serve your gourmet macaroni and cheese as a comforting main course or a side dish, pairing it with a healthy, fresh side like arugula salad if desired.
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Frequently asked questions
The secret to making gourmet macaroni and cheese is to use a combination of three or more types of cheese.
You can use any combination of cheeses you like, such as Colby, Monterey Jack, Fontina, mild Cheddar, Gruyère, or Pepper Jack.
Any tubular pasta shape will work, such as elbow pasta.
Bake your macaroni and cheese at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Yes, you can make gourmet macaroni and cheese up to one day in advance by preparing the cheese sauce, boiling the pasta, and storing them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
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