Mac and Cheese

55 mins
Serves 1
tiktok.com

Directions

  1. 1Finely chop one medium shallot.
  2. 2Set the chopped shallot aside.
  3. 3Remove parsley leaves from the stems.
  4. 4Finely chop roughly 15 grams of parsley leaves and set aside.
  5. 5Grate four garlic cloves to maximize flavor, then combine with the shallot.
  6. 6Melt 100 grams of butter on low heat in a pot.
  7. 7Add the grated garlic and chopped shallot to the melted butter.
  8. 8Add one tablespoon of chopped parsley and the parsley stems to the pot.
  9. 9Add a tiny splash (one tablespoon) of olive oil to the pot.
  10. 10Add a pinch of salt to the pot.
  11. 11Combine 250 grams of ricotta cheese with the zest of one lemon.
  12. 12Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the ricotta mixture.
  13. 13Grate nutmeg, add a pinch of salt, two cracks of black pepper, and a sprinkle of parsley to the ricotta mixture.
  14. 14Mix the ricotta mixture well and set aside.
  15. 15Remove the parsley stems from the butter mixture.
  16. 16Add 100 grams of plain flour to the butter mixture.
  17. 17Mix and cook the flour for at least 5 minutes to avoid a raw flour taste.
  18. 18In a separate bowl, combine 700 ml of milk and 300 ml of double cream.
  19. 19When the flour mixture starts smelling nutty, add salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.
  20. 20Pour the milk and cream mixture into the flour mixture and mix until it reaches a desired consistency (it will thicken as it cools).
  21. 21Cover the sauce and set aside.
  22. 22Cut 200 grams of mild cheddar cheese into small cubes.
  23. 23Grate 200 grams of Grana Padano cheese (do not throw away the rinds).
  24. 24Boil and salt some water for the pasta.
  25. 25Cook the pasta (spirals) for just 4 minutes; do not overcook.
  26. 26While pasta is cooking, add 200 grams of Philadelphia cream cheese to the béchamel sauce.
  27. 27Add half of the grated Parmesan cheese and all the cubed cheddar cheese to the béchamel sauce.
  28. 28Mix the cheesy sauce very well.
  29. 29Drain the pasta and combine it with the super cheesy sauce.
  30. 30Drizzle olive oil in a baking dish and spread it around.
  31. 31Pour half of the mac and cheese into the baking dish.
  32. 32Add the lemon ricotta mixture in the middle, leaving the edges free.
  33. 33Sprinkle some of the leftover Parmesan cheese over the ricotta.
  34. 34Tear two burratas and place them on top of the ricotta.
  35. 35Cover with the remaining mac and cheese.
  36. 36Combine three tablespoons of breadcrumbs with the remaining Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and some parsley.
  37. 37Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture all over the top of the mac and cheese.
  38. 38Drizzle a nice amount of olive oil over the top.
  39. 39Bake in an oven preheated to 185°C for around 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden on top.
  40. 40Let it rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium shallot
  • 15 grams parsley
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 100 grams butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 250 grams ricotta cheese
  • 1 lemon zest
  • 1 lemon juice
  • 1 grated nutmeg
  • 2 cracks black pepper
  • 100 grams plain flour
  • 700 ml milk
  • 300 ml double cream
  • 200 grams mild cheddar cheese
  • 200 grams Grana Padano cheese
  • pasta
  • 200 grams Philadelphia cream cheese
  • 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 2 burrata

Equipment

chopping boardknifebowlpotgraterscalewhiskbaking dishcolanderwooden spoontongsoven

Tips

  • Do not throw away the parsley stems, they are full of flavor.
  • Let the butter melt very slowly to infuse all the beautiful flavors.
  • Cook the flour for at least 5 minutes to avoid a raw flour taste in the cheesy sauce.
  • Do not overcook the pasta, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
  • Leave the edges of the mac and cheese free when adding ricotta in the middle.
  • Let the mac and cheese rest for at least 15 minutes after baking.