Best Ever Mac and Cheese

Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Place 1 pound of elbow macaroni to boil in salty water.
  2. 2Place 1 pound of elbow macaroni to boil in salty water.
  3. 3Place 1 pound of elbow macaroni to boil in salty water.
  4. 4Melt half a stick of butter in a pan.
  5. 5Melt half a stick of butter in a pan.
  6. 6Melt half a stick of butter in a pan.
  7. 7Add a quarter cup of flour to the melted butter.
  8. 8Add a quarter cup of flour to the melted butter.
  9. 9Add a quarter cup of flour to the melted butter.
  10. 10Add fresh cracked black pepper, salt, and paprika to the butter and flour mixture.
  11. 11Add fresh cracked black pepper, salt, and paprika to the butter and flour mixture.
  12. 12Add fresh cracked black pepper, salt, and paprika to the butter and flour mixture.
  13. 13Whisk the mixture and add 2 cups of milk.
  14. 14Whisk the mixture and add 2 cups of milk.
  15. 15Whisk the mixture and add 2 cups of milk.
  16. 16Add half of the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheeses to the sauce.
  17. 17Add half of the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheeses to the sauce.
  18. 18Add half of the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda cheeses to the sauce.
  19. 19Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  20. 20Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  21. 21Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  22. 22Pour the cheese mixture into the cooked macaroni.
  23. 23Pour the cheese mixture into the cooked macaroni.
  24. 24Pour the cheese mixture into the cooked macaroni.
  25. 25Stir to combine the macaroni and cheese sauce.
  26. 26Stir to combine the macaroni and cheese sauce.
  27. 27Stir to combine the macaroni and cheese sauce.
  28. 28Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
  29. 29Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
  30. 30Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
  31. 31Dump in half of the macaroni and cheese into the casserole dish.
  32. 32Dump in half of the macaroni and cheese into the casserole dish.
  33. 33Dump in half of the macaroni and cheese into the casserole dish.
  34. 34Take a quarter of the remaining Gouda, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheeses and sprinkle them on top of the macaroni layer.
  35. 35Take a quarter of the remaining Gouda, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheeses and sprinkle them on top of the macaroni layer.
  36. 36Take a quarter of the remaining Gouda, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheeses and sprinkle them on top of the macaroni layer.
  37. 37Add the rest of the macaroni and cheese on top of the cheese layer.
  38. 38Add the rest of the macaroni and cheese on top of the cheese layer.
  39. 39Add the rest of the macaroni and cheese on top of the cheese layer.
  40. 40Top with the rest of all the shredded cheese (Gouda, Monterey Jack, and cheddar).
  41. 41Top with the rest of all the shredded cheese (Gouda, Monterey Jack, and cheddar).
  42. 42Top with the rest of all the shredded cheese (Gouda, Monterey Jack, and cheddar).
  43. 43Sprinkle with a little extra paprika on top for color.
  44. 44Sprinkle with a little extra paprika on top for color.
  45. 45Sprinkle with a little extra paprika on top for color.
  46. 46Pop the casserole dish into the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until done.
  47. 47Pop the casserole dish into the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until done.
  48. 48Pop the casserole dish into the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until done.
  49. 49Serve the mac and cheese directly from the casserole dish.
  50. 50Serve the mac and cheese directly from the casserole dish.
  51. 51Serve the mac and cheese directly from the casserole dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 pound cheddar cheese
  • 1 pound cheddar cheese
  • 1 pound cheddar cheese
  • 8 ounces Gouda cheese
  • 8 ounces Gouda cheese
  • 8 ounces Gouda cheese
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
  • 0.5 stick butter
  • 0.5 stick butter
  • 0.5 stick butter
  • 0.25 cup flour
  • 0.25 cup flour
  • 0.25 cup flour
  • black pepper
  • black pepper
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • salt
  • salt
  • paprika
  • paprika
  • paprika
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups milk

Equipment

potwhiskcasserole dishcooking sprayovenserving spoonfork

Tips

  • Boil macaroni in salty water, 'salty like the sea.' When you think you have enough salt, use a little more.
  • Use freshly grated cheese; store-bought cheese has starch added as an anti-clumping agent and won't come out the same.
  • Creating a cheese layer in the middle of your mac and cheese is like lasagna mac and cheese, and the only way you should ever make mac and cheese.
  • Sprinkle extra paprika on top for "cute popping."